811.7490F/2–1945: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom ( Winant )
3384. ReEmbs 1726, February 19, 6 p.m. 1. After examining communications exchanged between the Department and London and between the Department and Jidda, the dilatory tactics employed by the British authorities and the untenable arguments which they have put forward have led to the conclusion that it would serve no useful purpose to prolong preliminary discussions with the British Government regarding our desire to establish a direct radio circuit between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
2. We are convinced that it would be in the interest of the United States, of the people of the Near and Middle East, and eventually of Great Britain itself, to establish direct radio circuits between the countries of the Near and Middle East and the United States, and to remove monopolistic restrictions on radio communication which hamper normal development of economic relations between the United States and those countries. We are further convinced that the improvement of our communications in these areas will eventually benefit world economy, and will strengthen the world security system.
3. While not admitting that direct radio circuit can be established between the United States and Saudi Arabia within a period of 5 years if and only if the Saudi Government before June 1 proposes a modification of its contract with the Eastern Telegraph Company, we are suggesting to the Saudi Government that it propose such a modification immediately.
4. It would be appreciated therefore if you would inform the Foreign Office of our conviction set forth in paragraph 2 above. You may add that the United States is suggesting to the Governments of the Near and Middle Eastern countries that such radio communications circuits be established; that it earnestly hopes that the British Government will not directly or indirectly oppose measures by Governments of those countries for the purpose of establishing such communications circuits; that in particular the British Government will not object to proposals which the Saudi Arabian Government may make for the modification of its agreement with the Eastern Telegraph Company, Ltd., for the purpose of establishing a direct radio communication circuit with the United States; and that a statement by the British Government to the Governments of both the United States and Saudi Arabia that it will not oppose such proposals would be welcome.
[Page 1019]5. You may point out that it would be unfortunate if the impression should be created in independent Near and Middle Eastern countries that Great Britain is opposed to normal development of communications between those countries and the United States. It would be particularly unfortunate if the United States Congress, press and people should obtain an impression that Great Britain is deliberately following a policy calculated to prevent improvement of radio communications between the Near and Middle East and the United States or calculated to support restrictions on such radio communications in the Near and Middle East which hamper normal development of economic relations of the United States with that part of the world. The British Government may wish to weigh the disadvantages of such an impression.
A prompt reply on the part of the British authorities would be welcome.
Sent to London, repeated to Jidda.