890F.515/46b: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Egypt (Kirk)
Washington, September
11, 1943—4 p.m.
1326. For Gunter from Treasury. Please repeat to Jidda.
- 1.
- We are arranging to have 8 million riyals minted immediately, 4 million by the Indian Mint and 4 million by the Royal Mint in London. We will inform you as to the minting of the remainder of the 15 million riyals.
- 2.
- You should make clear to the King that the riyals are being minted from the stock of silver of the United States Treasury and [Page 898] are being made available to Saudi Arabia by the Government of the United States through the Lend-Lease Administration.
- 3.
- The determination of the appropriate official who will sign both the request and the agreement for the silver is being worked out between Moose and officials of the State Department here. You will be informed of the final decision by cable either directly or through Moose. You should present for the King’s signature, or, as amended, for the signature of the representative so determined, the text of the request that will be cabled separately to you.
- 4.
- You should prepare a letter for presentation to the King, through proper channels as determined by Moose, stating that you, as a representative of the United States Treasury, have surveyed the needs of Saudi Arabia for silver coin and on the basis of your study have recommended to the Treasury that the silver required for 15 million riyals be provided to Saudi Arabia from the stocks of the Treasury under lend-lease arrangements, the silver to be returned on an ounce for ounce basis after the war.
- 5.
- You should present likewise for the King’s signature, or that of his representative, the text of the lend-lease agreement, cabled separately to you. [Treasury.]
Hull