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

780.022/7–1153

No. 1528
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Officer in Charge of Arabian Peninsula-Iraq Affairs (Fritzlan)

secret

Washington, July 11, 1953.

Subject:

• Discussion of Buraimi Problem at Bilateral Talks with Lord Salisbury and his Group, at 4:00 p.m., July 11, 1953

Participants:

• U.S. Representatives, including The Secretary, General Smith, Mr. Byroade.
• British Representatives including Lord Salisbury, General Robertson, and the British Ambassador.¹

The Secretary raised the problem of Buraimi, stating that we appeared to be allied to the opposing forces. He alluded to his recent visit to Riyadh and the strong feelings of King Ibn Saud on the subject. He took the position that Turki was in Buraimi as a matter of right. We were under great pressure from the King, who often referred to the Truman letter, to help him.

Lord Salisbury said the British were under similar pressure from the other side. The British had proposed arbitration and had concluded this could not be carried out as long as Turki remained in the area. His entry into it was entirely unwarranted. The British had therefore proposed that the President suggest to both sides mutual withdrawal coupled with supervision by UK, Saudi, and, preferably, US representatives.

Mr. Dulles asked if there couldn’t be supervision without mutual withdrawal and stated that the degree of withdrawal would be disproportionate and cause serious loss of face to Turki. Mr. Byroade mentioned that Turki would have to go 500–600 miles to Riyadh or Dammam while the other side would withdraw only a short distance. Lord Salisbury said perhaps this pointed up the extent to which Turki had trespassed.

Mr. Byroade listed our compromise proposals for consideration as follows:

1. Both sides agree arbitration take place with present strength Saudi and British forces remaining in area on understanding blockade lifted and that Saudis engage in no further suborning activities.

2. Observation commission consisting one Saudi, one British and one neutral representative to be set up immediately to proceed to area to insure adherence to foregoing. Commission to remain as long as situation required and to have freedom of movement and right of access to Saudi, British and other authorities in region.

3. Both sides to conclude arrangements without delay for arbitration.

Mr. Byroade emphasized our view that Ibn Saud would never accept mutual withdrawal.

General Smith stated that he had detected a feeling on the part of his British friends that perhaps strong measures had forced Ibn Saud to accept arbitration. He did not wish to pass judgment on this conclusion but he would say that last winter the Saudis spent long hours in the Department and if they had had one word of encouragement for a plebiscite, as opposed to arbitration, they would not have agreed to arbitration.

Lord Salisbury stated he and his group would be glad to consider these proposals and give his views at a later meeting.

1. Lord Salisbury was in Washington to attend the tripartite Foreign Ministers meetings held July 10–14; for documentation on the meetings, see vol. V, Part 2, pp. 1582 ff.