Office of the Historian

890.0145/10–2048: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Legation in Saudi Arabia

secret
Washington, November 10, 1948—2 p. m.

428. Revised procedure for presenting draft proclamation (Deptel 399. Oct. 20) planned as follows:—

(1)
US followed by UK will approach SAG. You will refer previous conversations and explain advice being given response SAG request US views re offshore oil not only because active interest US and UK oil companies in concession offshore SA, but also because our general interest in orderly development resources submerged area Persian Gulf. You will explain, parallel UK advice being offered for same reasons plus UK treaty responsibility Persian Gulf Sheikhdoms. (Consult background memoranda1 sent Leg showing developments this question since Dec 1947 when discussions initiated by UK). Will say US and UK will subsequently inform, Iraq and Iran that advice has been given SAG and indicate its nature, and UK will both inform and advise Sheikhdoms along lines similar to SAG. (You will be instructed near future exact timing your approach.)
(2)
Approach should be completely informal. You should leave draft proclamation without notation origin, explaining proposed proclamation based upon established international practice initiated by US proclamation Sept 25, 1945 in which US asserted jurisdiction and control over natural resources continental shelf out to 100-fathom line. Since all Persian Gulf less than 100 fathoms deep its entire seabed and subsoil susceptible application these principles by littoral states should they wish. Each littoral state could then, conduct orderly development subsea resources portion Persian Gulf seabed under its jurisdiction, thereby preventing uncontrolled exploitation by non-Persian Gulf powers. However, failure of one or more Gulf states issue a proclamation would not detract from rights asserted by states proclaiming them. You should emphasize while US believes it would be to SA’s advantage issue such a proclamation based on internationally recognized principles, final decision of course rests with SAG. Purpose SAG proclaiming draft principles at this time would be to permit demarcation its national jurisdiction seabed and subsoil up to median line in Persian Gulf, on basis which is believed fair and equitable both to SAG and all other littoral states. Present rights to mainland, islands, territorial waters would not be in any way changed, nor status of high seas affected. Proclamation would assert exclusive jurisdiction and control but not sovereignty over seabed and subsoil of offshore area affected.
(3)
Mapping details would have to be worked out scientifically. Questions which may arise should be capable of settlement among friendly neighbors who would derive common benefit from application [Page 60] of internationally recognized principles outlined in proclamation. Tentative rough maps being airmailed indicating how these principles may be applied.
(4)
Arabic translation should be made appropriate time accompany official English text proclamation. You may wish check translation with your Brit colleague.
(5)
When submitting proclamation SAG endeavor ascertain whether it has intention early publication and if so how soon. Meantime Dept would like have your estimate this regard and any comments you wish offer.2

Lovett
  1. This refers to two memoranda identically titled “Offshore Oil Concessions in the Persian Gulf”, dated July 27 and October 21, 1948, which traced developments concerning these matters from October 1947 to mid-October 1948. Neither memorandum is printed. They were drafted by Mr. McEnerney and are filed under 890.0145/7–2748 and 891.6363/10–2148.)↩
  2. This telegram was repeated to Cairo and London.↩