811.7490F/4–2045: Telegram

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

180. ReLegs 151, April 11, 10 a.m.1 Deputy Foreign Minister2 inquires officially whether United States has any proposals regarding direct radio telegraph communication with USA for which they understand we have engaged to secure British concurrence. He pointed out that SAG3 insisted on notice of intention to modify Cable and Wireless contract over violent protests by British Minister4 in response to strong representations from United States Government. He states SAG has done its part and inquires for our intentions.

I replied that the matter is pending and I have no further information.

He then inquired whether he should understand from the delay that (1) the United States Government has lost interest in establishing such communications or (2) we have been unable to secure British concurrence. I replied that I have no information leading to either inference.

Eddy
  1. Not printed; it inquired whether notice of intention to modify the contract with Cable and Wireless, Ltd., 6 months before the end of the 5-year period meant that such modification must be specified and agreed to before the end of the 6-month period. In telegram 119, April 20, 1945, the Department indicated its understanding that only specification of modification must be set forth within the 6-month period. (811.7490F/4–1145)
  2. Yusuf Yassin.
  3. Saudi Arabian Government.
  4. See telegrams 348, November 21, 1944, noon, and 349, November 21, 1944, 1 p.m., from Jidda, Foreign Relations, 1944, vol. v, pp. 768 and 769, respectively. Stanley R. Jordan was the British Minister in Saudi Arabia at that time.