890F.24/9–1544: Telegram
The Appointed Minister to Saudi Arabia (Eddy) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:29 p.m.]
278. Jordan left for vacation today stating: (1) His instructions to communicate revised cereals program not yet received, (2) his instructions received to reject King’s demand for revenues 1943 pilgrimage, (3) British road repair mission being withdrawn Jordan insists any independent lend-lease such as pumps for Amir Abdullah, the King’s brother, and condensers for Jubail violate spirit of joint supply and that all supply from either Government now or after European hostilities cease must be confined to joint agreed program.
Instructions requested.56
- In telegram 198, September 28, 7 p.m., the Minister was informed, in part, as follows: “It is considered that the return of the 1943 pilgrimage revenues is primarily a question for the King to settle with the British Government. This Government was not a party to the original arrangements, which were made at a time when the British subsidy greatly exceeded the extent of lend-lease and, since we were not a party, we are not in a position to judge the merits of the dispute concerning the nature of commitments alleged to have been made, in as much as they are dependent upon facts not at our disposal.… The purpose of the 1944 joint supply program is to maintain the economy of Saudi Arabia by compensating for the difference between estimated imports and consumption of basic commodities during the specific period contemplated by the agreed program. Lend-Lease supplies for purposes not contemplated by the program are outside its scope. By agreeing to the program or to a similar program for 1945, therefore, this Government is not precluded from extending additional lend-lease aid for other purposes at such time and under such circumstances as may be considered desirable.…” (890F.24/9–1544)↩