780.022/8–753: Telegram
No. 1531
The Acting Secretary
of State to the Embassy in the United
Kingdom1
682. After receiving British rejection our compromise proposals on Buraimi, Department has given further consideration to proposals which US might make to both parties in effort resolve present impasse.
It is Department’s tentative view that Embassy London should make representations to Foreign Office along following lines:
“Department has carefully considered Salisbury’s letter of July 272 to Secretary on Buraimi. Having in mind British reaction to our compromise proposals, Saudi attitudes and desirable conditions for impartial arbitration Department has elaborated new proposals. If British take favorable view these proposals Department will recommend President make them formally to both sides. Proposals as follows:
- 1.
- Withdrawal as indicated below of all Saudi and British-controlled administrative and military personnel from Buraimi region and from nearby British-protected Sheikhdoms who have entered these areas since August 20, 1952; it being understood that such withdrawal would be to undisputed areas not less than 350 miles from Buraimi and that any Muscat administrative and military personnel now in Buraimi area would be removed at least to Batinah coast.
- 2.
- Immediate conclusion arbitration agreement including details concerning designation of arbitration body and its functions.
- 3.
- Implementation of withdrawal mentioned above upon arrival in region of arbitration body it being understood that forces of neither side would re-enter area until conclusion arbitration and then only in manner indicated by arbitration decision.”
Department’s records indicate normal size British force in Trucial Coast about 100 men under British officer and perhaps several planes and that since inception Buraimi dispute about 200 Aden levies, 12 armored cars and 6 Meteor jet planes have been brought to area. Withdrawal of forces as specified under paragraph one would require return Saudi forces at least to Hofuf region while [Page 2562] British-controlled forces might be withdrawn to Bahrein but to no point in Trucial Oman, Qatar or Muscat.
Without prior consultation with Governments concerned Embassies London and Jidda requested comment foregoing suggested proposals.