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

786A.00/7–1653: Telegram

No. 1529
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom¹

secret

Washington, July 16, 1953—11:23 a.m.

283. At Saturday UK bilateral meeting² US put up following proposition to British on Buraimi:

(1) Both sides agree arbitration with present strength Saudi and British forces remaining area on understanding blockade be lifted and Saudi cease suborning activities.

(2) Observation Commission consisting one Saudi, one British, one neutral be established in area insure adherence above.

(3) Both sides conclude arbitration arrangements without delay.

At Tuesday bilateral³Salisbury indicated British unable accept pointing real difficulty being provision re non-withdrawal forces. Secretary asked British reconsider this decision pointing out great importance to us maintaining good relationship Saudis. Salisbury agreed to reconsider but pointed out British treaty relationships PG sheikdoms also important them.

Dulles

1. Drafted by Raynor and cleared by E. Repeated to Jidda and Dhahran.
2. For a record of the meeting of July 11, see the memorandum of conversation, supra.
3. For the record of the discussion of Buraimi at the Tuesday, July 14, meeting, see vol. V, Part 2, p. 1686.