786A.022/8–3150: Telegram
The Chargé in Saudi Arabia (Hill) to the Secretary of State 1
122. Embtel 117, August 30.2 Was called to Foreign Office again yesterday morning by Yusuf Yassin. Subject his talk was additional grievances over British notes on boundary dispute. Little was added to his remarks previous date. However he said King had just telegraphed him to inform Embassy officially in this matter.
While he admitted Department probably well acquainted with this whole situation, Yusuf Yassin nevertheless asked that Embassy transmit SAG present views which as follows:
SAG does not consider it has made any moves which not legally correct since SAG’s actions taken only after consultation with American lawyers such as Manley Hudson and Spurlock of Aramco.
SAG believes that British were well aware its intentions to place markers certain locations but British made no protest at time and even inquired when SAG would place markers and when they would issue statement concerning them. But when SAG had set up markers then British protested. SAG then adopted attitude let us talk it over and suggested setting up committee to which British agreed. Nevertheless, even while arrangements going on organize this committee British now informs SAG it will remove markers. When British [Page 75] Ambassador informed Foreign Office of this Yusuf Yassin told him this was aggressive action.
SAG knows that according principles of UN all regional disputes must be settled through peaceful means. Furthermore, American and British Ambassadors both went Riyadh recently to convey King’s message re tripartite declaration but now one member violates it with aggressive action.
Yusuf Yassin has requested British Ambassador to ask British Government to leave everything as is until after negotiations between the two governments completed. Foreign Office note embodying this request now being prepared copy of which will be furnished Embassy.3
Yusuf Yassin then closed his remarks saying, “I therefore in name His Majesty’s Government request friendly US Government use its influence with British in preventing such aggressive action on Saudi lands while reminding US Government of its previous promises that it will always defend SAG against aggressive action. I at same time wish to emphasize to US Government that SAG has no desire whatsoever to have any disputes with UK. On contrary SAG would [garble] like solve difficulties with UK on peaceful basis and not through violence”.
Comment: Embassy feels sure that Yusuf Yassin’s aggressive temperament and tendency blow off steam when occasion permits well-known to Department and that his strong comments will be judged in that light. While he certainly knows US Government not likely become party to boundary dispute he seemed relieved to get these remarks off his chest. End comment.
Yusuf Yassin left today for Riyadh. I have not discussed any of foregoing with British Ambassador here.
- Repeated to London as Deptel 1363.↩
- Not printed; it reported the receipt from Yassin of copies of two notes concerning disputed boundaries from the British Embassy. The first note informed Saudi Arabia the British Government would remove any markers in disputed areas that claimed Saudi Arabian sovereignty. The second proposed the Saudi Arabian and British Governments each prepare a memorandum of their claims to the disputed areas and exchange them two months before beginning discussions on the matter. Yassin stated that if the British Government had removed Saudi Arabian markers he would advise that they be replaced and guarded by troops. (786A.022/8–3050)↩
- A handwritten note in the margin read: “Let’s call Greenhill and say lay off.”↩