780.022/4–654: Telegram
No. 1556
The Ambassador in Saudi Arabia
(Wadsworth) to
the Department of State1
priority
423. Regarding mytel 420, April 4.2
- (1)
Aramco General Counsel Ray handed me yesterday letter enclosing copies of five letters and one memorandum dated April 3 addressed by Board Chairman Davies respectively to Secretary Dulles, Assistant Secretary Byroade, King Saud, petroleum development (Trucial Coast) Ltd., Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and British Foreign Office.
All set forth inter aliaAramco’s basic position that it is not prepared surrender any rights under its concession, that all activities by oil companies in disputed areas should be immediately discontinued and that all boundaries should be speedily determined.
Ray wished me have copies in case Department might desire refer thereto in instructions to me. He expects first two letters will be delivered at Department tomorrow together with original of memorandum (which Department is requested deliver to Foreign Office) and copies three other letters. Letter to King Saud will be [Page 2598] delivered earliest opportunity; those to oil companies were to be delivered in London yesterday.
- (2)
- I discussed reftel with Ray. We hope Department, when receiving Aramco officials delivering letters, can discuss it fully with them. He had reached substantially same conclusion and was forwarding his colleagues careful memorandum same subject.