890.0145/10–2148
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs (Satterthwaite)
| Participants: | Mr. T. E. Bromley, First Secretary, British Embassy |
| Mr. E. C [E]. Jones—Petroleum Attaché, British Embassy |
State
- NEA—Mr. Satterthwaite
- —Mr. Hare
- —Mr. Robertson
- NE—Mr. Colquitt
- —Mr. Clark
- OIR/IR [GE]—Mr. Boggs
- L/P—Mr. Gray
- PED—Mr. Moline
- GTI—Mr. Jernegan
- —Mr. Dunn
Summary
timing
(1) It was suggested by the American members present that, to meet substantial objections raised by our Ambassador in Tehran, our proposed plan of approach to the governments of the littoral states should be amended so as to provide that the Saudi Arabian Government be informed first and that the other littoral states, including the Sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf, be approached (not necessarily simultaneously) from two to seven days thereafter. We would then merely inform the governments of Iraq and Iran of our submission of advice to the Saudi Arabian Government at its request, and we would not make any recommendations to them as to similar action on their own part unless specifically so requested by those governments.
The British representatives present expressed some concern that under the new plan more time would not be allowed to notify the Sheikhdoms but agreed to submit this proposal to the United Kingdom.
press release
(2) It was agreed that we should proceed on the assumption that one or more governments would, within a reasonable time after our submitting advice to Saudi Arabia and the Sheikhdoms issue a proclamation along the lines suggested. If inquiries should come in from oil companies between the date of submission of advice and the date of issuance of the proclamation by one of the governments of the littoral states, the fact that such advice had been given would be confidentially [Page 55] revealed and inquirers referred directly to SAG for information. If a considerable delay were involved, this policy might be reviewed at a later date.
Press inquiries should be met by replies to the effect that our advice has been requested and given, but that until SAG has made its decision we are not free to comment upon details. When a proclamation is issued by some Persian Gulf Government, we would issue no press release but confine ourselves to frank answers to specific questions.
(3) It was agreed that a small-scale, rough map would be prepared as soon as possible and suggested median and boundary lines marked thereon in pencil. Copies of these maps should be sent to all interested posts.
(4) Translations of the official English text into Arabic and Persian should be prepared at the posts for submitting at the same time as the English text.
discussion
[Here follows lengthy discussion.]