Office of the Historian

780.022/10–1853: Telegram

No. 1537
The Chargé in Saudi Arabia (Jones) to the Department of State1

secret
priority
Jidda, October 18, 1953—8 p.m.

163. Embtel 159, October 17.2 Acting Head Foreign Office Kheireddin Zirickly told me this morning some progress had been made in yesterday’s discussion between Hafiz Wahba, Saudi Ambassador to UK and British Charg. regarding Buraimi issue. He said following principles for arriving settlement had been agreed upon subject approval two governments:

(1)
Agreement settle Buraimi dispute by arbitration was reaffirmed and settlement other boundary issues would proceed in accordance London Agreement concluded by Prince Feisal in August 1951.
(2)
It was necessary re-establish tranquil conditions in area before proceeding arbitration.
(3)
In order obtain foregoing conditions, both governments would send equal number guards to area to ensure maintenance public tranquility.

Kheireddin Bey stated British objected strongly continuance Turki in area, possibly because they considered him “more patriotic” than Saudis. Saudi Government was convinced every Saudi was as patriotic as Turki and might therefore be willing replace Turki with another official.

In reply my query regarding discussion Investigation Commission, Kheireddin Bey said there had been “change in tendency” since he had discussed matter with me yesterday and that present tendency was as indicated above.

I expressed hope negotiations would be successful and said that as SAG aware, US had always hoped two governments would be able achieve by direct negotiation mutually agreeable settlement AF issue.

Further UK–Saudi meetings are scheduled this afternoon and both morning and afternoon tomorrow.3

Jones
  1. Repeated to London and Dhahran.↩
  2. Not printed. It reported the acting head of the Saudi Arabian Foreign Office had informed an Embassy officer of discussions in Saudi Arabia between the British and the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, who had returned home for the talks. (780.022/10–1753)↩
  3. Telegram 170 from Jidda, Oct. 19, not printed, reported further information given to the Embassy by the Saudi Arabian Foreign Office on the progress of talks with the British on Buraimi. (780.022/10–1953)↩