890F.248/12–2245: Telegram

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

11039. Urtel 13407, Dec 22. In answer to British reservations re Dhahran airfield Deptel 10103 Nov 19 Section E intended to make clear that civil airlines of other countries would enjoy same facilities at Dhahran as those to be accorded US airlines during period of Army operation and maintenance as well as thereafter.

When provisional international civil aviation organization is in position to take over, Dept will give consideration to suggesting that American company transfer contract for operation of field to ICAO61 until Saudis are fully capable of taking over.

British suggestion that Ibn Saud exercise his own discretion regarding granting Fifth Freedom traffic rights satisfactory only if he is given fully to understand that his decision to do so will not excite British displeasure. We cannot build airport unless we are to have Fifth Freedom rights with regard to its use.

Paragraph explaining reference to Article 43 of San Francisco Charter interesting but hard to understand in view of fact that US has never contemplated establishing American base in Saudi Arabia and has repeatedly made clear that control of airfield would go to Saudis within at least 3 years, and that the Saudi Arabian Govt would [Page 991] be free to operate the field with Saudi Arabs rather than with American technicians as soon as qualified Saudi Arabs can be found.

Sent to London; repeated to Jidda.62

Acheson
  1. International Civil Aviation Organization.
  2. As No. 375.