890F.7962/4–2949: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia
priority
191. Urtels 272, Apr 14 and 307, Apr 29.1 Re proposed new agreement in mentioning basic principles Dept had no intention precluding negots but felt that before announcing intention negotiate it wld be desirable determine whether reasonable chance successful outcome. However, in view feelings expressed by SAG, in proposing text public announcement you shld make clear SAG that US not attempting impose “conditions” prior negot; on contrary US considers both parties free agents who approach conversations without commitment other than that of exploring possibility revising and expanding provisional agreement Nov 7, 1933. While 1933 Agreement has operated successfully, relations between two countries have developed to such extent as wld justify, in Dept’s opinion, a more comprehensive agreement which might serve to solidify further present close relationship to mutual advantage both govts.
Fol is draft proposed announcement re negots between SA and US:
“The govts of SA and US conscious of mutuality of their interests, being desirous of strengthening ties of friendship which already exist between the two countries, and recognizing the great increase in their economic intercourse in recent years, have decided to explore possibilities of revising and expanding their agreement dated Nov 7, 1933 entitled ‘Provisional Agreement between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in regard to Diplomatic and Consular Representation, Juridical Protection, Commerce and Navigation.’
This announcement is being released simultaneously by agreement between the two govts concerned at Wash and Jidda (Riyadh).”
It is proposed that US announcement wld be released by SecState at weekly press conference which usually occurs Wed. Cld SAG arrange issuance special communiqué on that day?2 Dept wld propose specific date for release when text announcement agreed to.3
- Neither printed; for a summary of telegram 272, see footnote 12, p. 1589; telegram 307 contained Ambassador Childs’ suggestion to take advantage of the public announcement proposed in the March 30 aide-mémoire to give expression of the United States special interest in Saudi Arabia (890F.7962/4–2949).↩
- The Saudi Arabian Government indicated that it would prefer that the public announcement be postponed until negotiations had commenced (telegram 369, May 27, from Jidda, 890F.7962/5–2749; not printed).↩
- Ambassador Childs conveyed the contents of this telegram orally to the Saudi Arabian Foreign Office on May 21 (telegram 355, from Jidda, 890F.7962/5–2149; not printed).↩