No. 317
Editorial Note
Despatch 126 from Jidda, September 29, reported a disturbing degree of labor unrest among Aramco employees in Dhahran. A number of anti-Aramco petitions being circulated in the area had come to the attention of the Crown Prince, who had then appointed a governmental committee of investigation. Despatch 143 from Jidda, October 11, reported the committee had arrived in Dhahran and had begun its investigation. Despatch 145 from Kuwait, November [Page 748] 15, told the Department of State of reports it had heard that the new King Saud and Prince Faisal were incensed by the attitude of Aramco during the recent strike and resented what they considered Aramco’s policy of keeping Saudi Arabs from obtaining responsible positions in the company. Despatch 190 from Jidda, November 19, reported the Saudi Arabian Government was irritated by a report that Aramco had indicated to the press that the Dhahran strike had been directed against the government, rather than the company. The Embassy feared the ill will aroused by Aramco press statements would continue to plague its relations with the government. Documentation is in Department of State file 886A.2553.