890D.6363/12–1346: Circular airgram
The Acting Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Officers 41
Discussions in Department and with Aramco including Lenahan regarding Trans-Arabian pipeline route indicate (1) intention of Aramco to exclude Syria from proposed pipeline survey and (2) wisdom of refraining from pressing for treaty rights to obtain pipeline concession from Syria under prevailing circumstances.
Confidential sources indicate survey may determine feasibility and economics of route from Saudi Arabia through Trans-Jordan and northern tip Palestine to Mediterranean terminus in Lebanon. Department offered to assist Aramco in providing access its personnel to Syria for survey purposes but Company declined preferring to bypass Syria at present time in view of that Government’s refusal to consider reasonable pipeline convention.
Department feels invocation treaty rights for purpose obtaining pipeline concession without Aramco obligation to construct through Syria following on heels of Aramco inability to negotiate on voluntary basis would meet with stiff resistance, jeopardize future chances to obtain concession, and create undesirable friction in US–Syrian relations. Aramco agrees undesirability invoking treaty rights at present time.
- Sent to Damascus, Cairo, Beirut, Jerusalem, Jidda, and London.↩