890.F.248/11–2245: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Saudi Arabia (Sands)
334. [Here follows text, except for minor changes of language, of telegram 10103, November 19, 6 p.m., to London (page 966), beginning with the second paragraph through paragraph numbered 2(e).]
The above information has been transmitted to the Brit Govt and their concurrence in the immediate future has been requested. As soon as the Brit reply is received General Giles and Air Attaché Curren will accompany Minister Eddy from Cairo to Jidda to present the above information to the King and to obtain his agreement. Meanwhile this telegram is to provide you with advance information but must be kept confidential pending Minister Eddy’s instructions.
For your own background it should be pointed out that while the signing of the bilateral Air Transport Agreement is one of the two necessary conditions to completing the airfield, it is our wish that the condition be not included in the revised Agreement for a United States Military Airbase at Dhahran. This procedure is important in order to avoid the interpretation by other nations that we are purchasing bilateral air transport agreements with airfields built with US funds. In oral discussions with the King you may need to state unequivocally that the airfield is a quid pro quo but the signed agreements should give no indication of this fact; hence it is probably desirable to conclude the bilateral Air Transport Agreement first.
Sent to Jidda. Repeated to Cairo30 for Minister Eddy, General Giles and Air Attaché Curren.
- As No. 2161.↩