890F.248/12–1845: Telegram

The Minister in Saudi Arabia ( Eddy ) to the Secretary of State

418. When I asked the King whether I could have audience with him to include General Giles and General Wilson43 December 22 or 23rd, the King replied “I am always available for important work but the work of importance on which so much depends is the supply of critical needs. As this is the oldest outstanding subject, I hope it will be discussed first.”

I cannot overstate to the Department my conviction that General Giles and I will receive a negative reply or no reply at all to the communications we must make (Deptel 356, December 13) unless I can at same time give some definite assurance regarding long range financial loan which Department hoped would be ready December 15 (Deptel 223 [2235] to Cairo December 544) and without British concurrence in bilateral air agreement.

It has been obvious for some time that replies to TWA and American Eastern (among others) await the same word. If Eximport Bank cannot be induced to act now but defers action until after holidays when King will be leaving for Egypt, I should not care to predict effect on US interests. Furthermore, my position as US envoy would become untenable because King already misunderstands my return empty-handed after extended consultation in Department (Legtel 415, December 16, paragraph 245).

Eddy
  1. Gen. T. B. Wilson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TWA.
  2. Not printed; but see footnote 39, p. 975.
  3. Ante, p. 841.