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  3. Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V, Part 1
  4. Document 161

711.90F27/1–1648: Airgram

The Secretary of State to the Legation in Saudi Arabia

secret
Washington , January 16, 1948.

A–9. In view of the current political situation vis-à-vis SAG Dept. believes no further efforts re negotiation bilateral [civil] air transport agreement desirable at this time.1

Minimum rights necessary for civil operations are contained in Dhahran Airbase Agreement and in all probability extension that agreement will be sought at proper time.

When decision is made to open negotiations for extension terms Airbase Agreement, decision will be made in the light of current situation at that time as to whether to negotiate bilateral air transport agreement or to continue civil [air] rights through Airbase Agreement.

While simplified draft air transport agreement could be prepared now for Leg.’s use, difficulties involved in radical departures from Dept.’s “model draft” originally proposed and probability requirements for further changes before active negotiations can be resumed appear to make it desirable suspend any further action until such time as it appears reasonable to expect success in efforts to obtain understanding with SAG on text.2

A copy of this airgram is being sent to the American Embassy, Cairo.

Marshall
  1. The Department, on May 8, 1947, sent a revised draft agreement to Jidda, which stated that “While the United States now enjoys satisfactory [civil] aviation rights in Saudi Arabia by virtue of the Dhahran Airbase Agreement and related contracts between TWA and the Saudi Arabian Government, the Department believes that it is in the best interest of both countries to negotiate a formal bilateral air transport agreement.” (instruction 80, 711.90F27/5–847). Regarding the earlier draft, see instruction 329, August 1, 1945, Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. viii, p. 936; concerning the TWA contract, see the American note of May 29, 1946, and footnote 20, ibid., 1946, vol. vii, pp. 744, 745.

    Sheikh Yussuf transmitted the Saudi Arabian counterproposals to the American Legation on August 19, 1947, and on December 24, Jidda sent them to the Department in despatch 442 (711.90F27/12–2447).

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  2. The American Legation at Jidda engaged in many discussions with the Saudi Arabian Foreign Office in 1948 on the question of a civil air transport agreement, but no agreement was reached.↩