890F.248/11–2845: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State

12421. Substance of Dept’s 10103, November 19, 6 p.m. has been given Foreign Office in writing. We have also discussed its contents with Under Secretary Ronald who has supervision of aviation matters and Under Secretary Howe who is responsible for Middle East matters. A written reply was promised us as soon as possible but Ronald pointed out that besides questions of civil aviation and Middle East policy matters, there was still another item entering the picture and that was the relation between this airfield and the principle of regional [Page 971] defense as outlined in article 43 of San Francisco Charter.31 These were all questions he pointed out which would call for some study.

Ronald said that consideration of the questions raised in connection with the airfield at Dhahran would be facilitated if we could furnish him with information re the nature and volume of military traffic now using this airfield and the nature and volume of military traffic that will be using this airfield in the immediate future. He said he would also appreciate learning when it was planned to ask Congress for the funds for the completion of this airfield and for its eventual adaptation to civilian use. He added in this connection that consideration of questions we raised re the Dhahran Airfield was related to the larger question of an Anglo-American air transport agreement. He said he hoped that before funds were appropriated for completion of the Dhahran airfield at least a modus vivendi covering the Fifth Freedom would have been worked out between the British and US.

[For remaining two paragraphs of this telegram, see page 81.]

Winant
  1. Charter of the United Nations, signed on June 26, 1945, Department of State Treaty Series No. 993, or 59 Stat. (pt. 2) 1031.