Office of the Historian

500.CC/2–2245: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)

Washington, February 22, 1945—9 p.m.

391. British Embassy has just informed us that at Yalta Eden made a plea for Saudi Arabia to be given an opportunity to qualify for an invitation to the San Francisco Conference;46 that Molotov [Page 85] was unable to agree then but promised to consider the matter; that Clark Kerr has been instructed to express the hope that Soviet Government will now agree Saudi Arabia be given hint that if she does declare a state of war and adhere to United Nations Declaration by March 1, she will be invited to San Francisco; that Mr. Eden hopes the Department will support this proposal.

We feel very strongly that Saudi Arabia, because of her firm friendship and valuable assistance to our cause, should be given an opportunity to qualify as a United Nation by entering into a state of war with Germany or Japan or both and permitted to attend San Francisco Conference. Please consult with Clark Kerr immediately and then make known to Molotov the view of this Government.

Secretary Stettinius concurs.

Because of the March 1 deadline it is important that we have a prompt reply.

Grew
  1. See Bohlen Note on the meeting of the Foreign Ministers, February 11, 1945, Conferences at Malta and Yalta, p. 931.↩