890F.0011/101
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Alling)
| Participants: | Amir Faisal, Saudi Arabian Minister of Foreign Affairs |
| Amir Khalid | |
| Shaikh Hafiz Wahba, Saudi Arabian Minister to London | |
| Mr. Berle | |
| Mr. Murray | |
| Mr. Alling |
Mr. Murray raised the question of an American Consulate at Dhahran,38 where, as the Princes knew, consideration was being given to the erection of a large petroleum refinery. Mr. Murray pointed out that if this project went through, there would be a large number of Americans in that part of Saudi Arabia and it would be most essential for us to have a Consul there. He said that he understood that the objection on the part of the Saudi Arab Government was because it might be considered as establishing a precedent. Mr. Murray stressed the point that he did not consider this a valid argument, since the [Page 850] Saudi Arab Government could quite easily point out that no other country had the interests in and about Dhahran that the United States had. After further discussion, the Amir said that he would discuss the matter with his father.