Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 2

611.86A/10–1453: Telegram

No. 1457
The Chargé in Saudi Arabia (Jones) to the Department of State¹

secret

Jidda, October 14, 1953—8 p.m.

149. Foreign Office note dated October 13² refers my conversations with King’s councillor, Khalid Gargoni during Taif visit October 6–8³ and sets forth position SAG with respect (1) Dhahran mail problem (Embassy telegram 141),⁴ (2) Time-Newsweek ban (Embassy telegram 140),³ and (3) three American prisoners.

Highlights note, text of which being airmailed, as follows:

(1) Regarding Dhahran mail problem, Royal Decree of December 23, 1952 provides all packages entering country must be inspected.⁵ Validity this decree in no way affected by fact it not immediately implemented. Military and civilian personnel DAF subject, under terms paragraph 13(a) DAF agreement, laws and regulations of Kingdom and SAG will apply all such laws unless specific exemption exists. Though agreement grants exemption customs duties, nowhere specifies freedom from inspection of packages.

On basis request Chargé d’Affaires and without prejudice its rights, SAG willing, however, “postpone application” of Royal Decree ordering inspection for period 1 month during which time two parties have opportunity agree on arrangements satisfactory both. If in this time no agreement reached, SAG will exercise its right and resume inspection. Instructions this effect issued appropriate Saudi authorities.

Comment: Though not specifically so stated in note, Embassy assumes parcels presently held will be released. Will inform. End comment.

(2) After determination Time and Newsweek have modified policy, SAG has decided lift ban on both magazines.

Comment: In view publication article derogatory Saudi Arabia in October 12 issue Time, probably ban that magazine will be reimposed. End comment.

(3) SAG wishes issue American prisoners had not been raised and strongly urges it not be taken up again. As custodian holy shrines Islam, SAG cannot open itself to charge that, bowing to pressure of friendly government, it neglected its duty.⁶

Jones

1. Repeated to Dhahran.
2. An Embassy translation of the Oct. 13 note was transmitted to the Department of State as an enclosure to despatch 149, Oct. 18. (611.86A/10–1853)
3. Telegrams 128 from Jidda, Sept. 29 (786A.00/9–2953), and 136, Oct. 5 (611.86A/10–553), reported the Ambassador had an appointment to see Prince Faisal at Taif on Oct. 6 to discuss the matters under reference here. Telegram 140 from Jidda, Oct. 9, informed the Department that Prince Faisal had been ill and Gargoni had acted as his representative. It further stated that nothing definite had emerged from the conversations regarding the three American prisoners and the Time-Newsweek ban. (611.86A/10–853)
4. Dated Oct. 8, not printed. It reported that the Ambassador had set forth the U.S. position that inspection of mail was contrary to the Dhahran Airfield Agreement, and urged Gargoni to consider reestablishing the status quo ante pending a mutually satisfactory solution within the framework of the Agreement. He also informed Gargoni that under present instructions the Embassy could not agree to spot inspection or any other form of inspection of U.S. mail. (611.86A/10–853)
3. Telegrams 128 from Jidda, Sept. 29 (786A.00/9–2953), and 136, Oct. 5 (611.86A/10–553), reported the Ambassador had an appointment to see Prince Faisal at Taif on Oct. 6 to discuss the matters under reference here. Telegram 140 from Jidda, Oct. 9, informed the Department that Prince Faisal had been ill and Gargoni had acted as his representative. It further stated that nothing definite had emerged from the conversations regarding the three American prisoners and the Time-Newsweek ban. (611.86A/10–853)
5. An unnumbered telegram from Dhahran, Feb. 23, had first reported the decree to the Department of State. Telegram 196 to Dhahran, Feb. 24, advised General Grover and Ambassador Hare that the subject of mail inspection should not be handled on a local basis but should be discussed with government officials in Riyadh or Jidda. It also asked them to find out the reasons for the policy. Telegram 673 from Jidda, Mar. 4, informed the Department that the Ambassador considered the main point at issue in the mail inspection matter to be Saudi Arabian sovereignty, which had always been the main preoccupation with regard to Dhahran Airfield. Documentation is in Department of State file 711.56386A.
6. The three Americans, employees of the Bechtel Corporation, had been arrested for entering the city of Mecca, a Moslem Holy Place which non-Moslems were not supposed to enter. Telegram 234 from Jidda, Nov. 17, reported that the new King had freed the Americans as part of an amnesty following the death of King Ibn Saud. (786A.11/11–1753)