Office of the Historian

780.022/11–253: Telegram

No. 1539
The Chargé in Saudi Arabia (Jones) to the Department of State1

secret
Jidda, November 2, 1953—4 p.m.

198. In accordance Foreign Office request, delivered President’s message to King2 to Crown Prince expressed appreciation President’s solicitude regarding King’s health and for efforts US assist working out solution Buraimi dispute. Crown Prince said, as US knew, SAG had agreed arbitration at behest US and had exercised greatest restraint in meeting aggressive action on part British in area. He regretted although negotiations looking towards implementation arbitration now going on between British Saudis, British had not ceased their provocative actions and referred Buraimi incident October 26 (Embtel 190, October 293). He indicated his hope [Page 2573] US could effectively assist preventing recurrence such incidents. He was happy President had decided appointment Ambassador Wadsworth and could assure US that Saudi Government would render Ambassador every assistance for accomplishment his mission further strengthening friendly ties between Saudi and American peoples.

Crown Prince’s statement was on whole moderate and restrained; it contrasted strongly with sharpness his remarks on Buraimi during Hickenlooper4 interview (Embtel 111, September 175). There was, however, undertone of bitterness, particularly when he spoke of continuing British aggressive acts in Buraimi area.

Suggest Department consider advisability again urging British do utmost prevent occurrence further incidents Buraimi area and authorizing Embassy inform SAG our representations. All possible action prevent further incidents such as those described Embtel 190 would seem accord British interests, particularly during this delicate period Saudi-British negotiations where Saudis considering retreat their position arbitration should be limited Buraimi oasis.

King’s councilor, Khalid Bey Gargoni, who was present at interview, indicated that reply to President’s message might be forthcoming after receipt by Saudis of signed original.

Jones
  1. Repeated to London and Dhahran.↩
  2. Supra.↩
  3. Not printed; it transmitted information concerning a memorandum sent by the Saudi Arabian Foreign Office to the British Embassy protesting further British activities in the Buraimi area. (780.022/10–2953)↩
  4. Bourke Hickenlooper, Senator from Iowa.↩
  5. Not printed; it reported the visit of a Congressional party to Saudi Arabia. (033.1100 HI/9–1853)↩