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

Presidential Correspondence, lot 66 D 204, “King Saud/Eisenhower”: Telegram

No. 1527
The Ambassador in Saudi Arabia (Hare) to the Department of State¹

secret

Jidda, July 7, 1953—1 p.m.

6. There follows summary of another message from King delivered by Foreign Office with request it be transmitted to President. Complete text being pouched.²

(1) Expression appreciation President’s message Deptel 2, July 1.³

(2) Statement that British have replied Saudi protest denying bombing but admitting “most of acts” attributed British officials and claiming they were taken in retaliation aggression against British forces.

(3) Request that President send representative who, together with Saudi and British representative, would go to Buraimi area to make investigation.

(4) Contradiction between British statement that it has instructed its forces Buraimi area maintain peace and report from Turki that British forces intensifying siege against Hamasah, Turki’s headquarters.

(5) Claim that on July 3 British forces fired guns and rockets at Hamasah in order frighten people.

(6) Expression of hope President’s mediation will end aggression and result in investigation incidents Buraimi area.

(7) Reiteration willingness accept arbitration provided there is equality of forces in area.

(8) Repetition of thanks for President’s interest in question and reassurance Saudi desire settle dispute and have friendly relations with Britain.

In conversation with acting head Foreign Office after receipt foregoing, I remarked that question of sending American observer to Buraimi was, of course, an old story which had been thoroughly discussed in past and that Department had always taken position that American participation was not desirable. I said that while I was not in position reply in negative to King’s suggestion, I thought negative reply was probable and it is my recommendation to Department that we do not change our position on this point.

Hare

1. Repeated to London and Dhahran.
2. Despatch 23, July 11, not printed. (780.022/7–1153)
3. Not printed; it transmitted the President’s answer to King Ibn Saud’s message of June 28, transmitted in telegram 249 from Dhahran. It informed him that the President was concerned over the report of the bombing attack, and the matter was being taken up with the British Government. (780.022/6–2953)