890F.24/8–2644: Telegram
The Chargé in Saudi Arabia (Geier) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 27—11:12 a.m.]
257. British Minister and Shaikh Abdullah Sulaiman, Acting Foreign Minister, were informed separately today of Department’s August 23, 9 a.m. [p.m.] to Cairo, repeated to Jidda as 166.
Jordan held 2-hour conference this morning with Colonel Coneybear and Major Nicholson, American and British MESC representatives in Jidda, and myself. He again stated forcefully all his arguments against revising supply program quotas, expressing fundamental disbelief in Saudi statistics and sincerity. He adduced various secret information allegedly official intercepts which, if genuine, are persuasive as proof that country has adequate stocks and that Saudi officials are endeavoring to take advantage of Anglo-American generosity to accumulate supplies sufficient for one year. He conceded that political considerations might be the determining factor but from economic point of view is unalterably opposed to accepting Saudi claims [Page 731] declaring that rejecting the King’s figures did not worry him. He stated also that Shaikh Yussuf’s plan to purchase 10,000 tons of foodstuffs in Egypt will not be permitted (reLeg’s 247, August 14, 5 p.m.).
Coneybear and I underlined arguments favoring acceptance King’s expressed desire at face value but avoided controversy. Nicholson seems to maintain strictly fair and open mind on question.
Jordan and staff were obviously angered by Department’s 158 of August 14, 7 p.m.40 Their latest instruction from London reportedly contains information which this Legation does not have to effect that Department’s 158 had been drafted by “two Department officials who are away on leave and could not be questioned as to their intentions”, and that it had been corrected by conference between Murray, Landis, and British.
Shaikh Abdullah, apparently worried and deeply preoccupied by local problems, showed no reaction when I delivered Department’s message.
The course which affair has taken renders imperative in my opinion that at least some increase in supply program be granted for fundamental political considerations and those of American prestige in Saudi Arabia.
Repeated to Cairo for Eddy and Moose.