185. Editorial Note
On October 28, Alfred leSesne Jenkins, Counselor of the Embassy at Jidda, transmitted the substance of his conversation that day with Khalid Bey al-Walid, Royal Counselor to the King. According to Jenkins, Khalid expressed his concern over the recent British action in Buraimi; stated that the British move would destroy [Page 283] Saudi efforts to resist Communism and aid from Russia; questioned the “friendship” between the United States and the United Kingdom; and referred to the “arrogant indifference, conceit and distortion of facts” in the British note of October 26 informing Saudi Arabia of the occupation of Buraimi. Jenkins responded that in the absence of formal instructions from Washington he would offer Khalid his personal observations. To the best of his knowledge, Jenkins noted, the United States had not been informed of the British action until it was a fait accompli. Referring to Khalid’s remarks about friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom, Jenkins noted that while there might be disagreements among “free friends,” it was important to maintain the “fundamental bases of friendship in constant and true perspective.” Jenkins reiterated his surprise over the British action and noted that the United States was concerned over the incident and was studying its implications. (Telegram 189 from Jidda, October 28; Department of State, Central Files, 780.022/10–2855)
Acting Secretary Hoover replied on October 29, indicating his approval of Jenkins’ remarks to Khalid and instructing the Chargé to inform the Saudi Government that the United States “had no advance intimation whatever” of the British action and that when the British Embassy in Washington subsequently notified him of the British occupation of Buraimi, he immediately expressed “astonishment and concern at this precipitate move.” (Telegram 212 to Jidda; ibid.)