890F.24/189a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Egypt (Tuck)
1542. For Landis. It is extremely difficult to reconcile the statement contained in paragraph 6 of Legation’s 1663, June 17, 9 p.m.13 from you, to the effect that there is no cereal shortage in Saudi Arabia, with King Ibn Saud’s message set forth in Cairo’s 1667, June 17, 11 a.m. and the statements contained in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Cairo’s 1670, June 18, 10 a.m. from Moose to the effect that deliveries of foodstuffs have been inadequate and that the free distribution of bread is ceasing in Saudi Arabia. Without definite concrete factual information, and having been provided with statements from several sources which appear on the surface at least to be confusing and conflicting, we find it impossible to formulate any kind of a definite program. Furthermore, telegrams such as No. 1663 are distributed to other governmental agencies. For example, it may be rather difficult to request supplies for Saudi Arabia on the basis of the King’s appeal if it is reported that no cereal shortage (and by implication no food shortage) exists in Saudi Arabia.
It is hoped that when you proceed to Washington you will bring with you all available factual data regarding the supply situation and stocks on hand in Saudi Arabia together with the best available estimates of what Saudi Arabia’s requirements are going to be over a stated period.
- Not printed; in this telegram Mr. Landis had reported as follows: “I cannot agree that any cereals shortage is at present indicated in Saudi Arabia …” (811.20 Defense (M) 15986)↩