Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

124.90F/1–549

Memorandum by the Acting Secretary of State to the President

secret

Washington, January 4, 1949.

In view of our large and rapidly growing economic interests in Saudi Arabia, involving the employment of several thousands of Americans in that country, and the especially cordial attitude which King Ibn Saud² has long displayed toward the United States Government, the Department gave thought early in 1948 to raising the status of our Legation at Jidda to an Embassy. Although desirous of effecting the change at that time, the Department felt that it would be wise to defer action until the unfavorable atmosphere created by the Palestine problem improved.³ You may recall that we elevated our Legations at Cairo and Baghdad in 1946.⁴ The British took similar action at Jidda in November 1947.

With the adjournment of the United Nations General Assembly at Paris, and the creation of the Conciliation Commission,⁵ the Department is of the opinion that it would now be opportune to proceed with the proposed elevation of our Legation to an Embassy. Our Minister at Jidda, Mr. Rives Childs, recently informed the Department⁶ that this action would be welcomed by the Saudi Arabian Government as evidence of a reciprocal desire on our part for strong and friendly ties; he adds that it would be regarded as recognition of the importance we attach to our interests in Saudi Arabia, and could not but be pleasing to the King. Such a move would, of course, involve reciprocal action on the part of the Saudi Arabian Government.

If you approve, the Department proposes to instruct Minister Childs to approach the Saudi Arabian Government with a view to effecting the elevation of the respective Missions at Jidda and Washington in the near future. In the event the concurrence of the Saudi Arabian Government is obtained to these proposals, it is recommended that Mr. Childs be raised to the rank of Ambassador.⁷

Robert A. Lovett

2. Abdul Aziz ibn Saud, King of Saudi Arabia.
3. For documentation on the Israeli problem, see pp. 594 ff.
4. See Foreign Relations, 1946, vol. vii, pp. 78–80, concerning Cairo, and ibid., pp. 569–570, concerning Baghdad.
5. For a discussion of the Palestine Conciliation Commission, see pp. 594 ff.
6. Telegram 658, December 22, 1948, from Jidda (124.90F/12–2248); not printed.
7. A marginal note, dated January 5, 1949, indicated President Truman’s approval. The Legation in Saudi Arabia was notified of this approval and directed to inform the Saudi Arabian Government (telegram 9, January 10, to Jidda, 124.90F/12–2248; not printed). Sheikh Asad al-Faqih presented his credentials to President Truman on March 4 (Department of State Bulletin, March 13, p. 328), and J. Rives Childs presented his credentials to King Ibn Saud on March 18 (despatch 86, April 2, from Jidda, 123 Childs/4–249).