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

786A.00/3–1554: Telegram

No. 1550
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia ¹

secret
priority

Washington , March 16, 1954—6:44 p.m.

267. Embtel 391.² In any discussion Ambassador may have with King concerning Buraimi he should explain Department’s position concerning British proposals as follows:

(1) Department saw no reason question desirability defining zone to be subjected to arbitration as described first proposal.

(2) While according Department’s understanding agreement had been previously reached upon substance first portion second proposal, second portion to effect UK withdraw its levy posts in disputed area constituted concession by British to Saudi viewpoint. It was Department’s understanding UK, having withdrawn its levy posts, would not introduce administrative personnel into area.

(3) Department did not consider third proposal would operate in manner to confer concession in any portion disputed area upon IPC or AIOC without specific agreement Saudi Arabian Government and Aramco. Department still cannot understand how acceptance third proposal necessarily impairs concession rights which Aramco may acquire.

(4) In expressing support for British proposals Department was impelled by belief proposals as whole constituted conciliatory gesture and step in right direction. However it was never Department’s feeling position Saudi Arabian Government or Aramco on question of assumption by IPC and AIOC of concession would in any manner be prejudiced.³

(5) If Saudi Arabian Government or Aramco at present opposed awarding concessions to IPC and AIOC in any disputed area which may be decided to be Saudi territory, Department sees no reason why Saudi Government in replying British proposals should refrain from making statement to that effect.

(6) Should Saudi Government desire explanations and elucidations proposals Department believes direct discussions with British would be helpful.

Dulles

1. Drafted by Fritzlan and cleared by NEA. Repeated to London and Dhahran.
2. Not printed; it reported the King was coming to Jidda and asked the Department of State to send in detail its views on paragraph c of the British memorandum. (786A.00/3–1554)
3. Telegram 4004 from London, Mar. 17, reported the Foreign Office reaffirmed to an Embassy official that the only condition implied in paragraph c of the British memorandum was the continuance of IPC and AIOC exploration in the disputed area during arbitration. The British said they had no desire to prejudice Aramco’s concessionary rights, and presumably would instruct their representative in Saudi Arabia along those lines. (780.022/3–1754)