890F. 24/11–344: Telegram
The Minister in Saudi Arabia (Eddy) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 3—2:30 p.m.]
331. British Chargé today informed me Foreign Office has approved offer by Muslims of India to ship 500 tons cereal as gift to Muslims in Saudi Arabia. He informed me but did not seek concurrence.
I told him that speaking personally I am glad to see additional food coming to Arabia but I hoped this would not delay arrival of subsidy cereals long overdue, nor preempt cargo space needed by any subsidy shipments.
I suggest that the Department consider this good news (1) because Saudi Arabia is undernourished and (2) because it establishes a precedent for independent supply over and above joint subsidy program. What is permitted to India must be permitted to the United States.