Office of the Historian

189. Telegram From the Department of State to the Delegation at the Foreign Ministers Meetings, at Geneva1

Washington, November 10, 1955—7:39 p.m.

Tosec 226. During last few days we have suggested to British that they return to arbitration to settle Buraimi issue. We have also urged SAG to continue arbitration.2 Yesterday British replied that arbitration had been made impossible by SAG on grounds of bribery and intimidation. In view of general tense situation in NE we recommend you urge Macmillan to return to arbitration in some form with addition of neutral observers in Buraimi oasis area. Addition of latter should cover British point re bribery or intimidation and provide new formula for British acceptance.3

Hoover
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–GE/11–1055. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Wilkins and approved by Allen. Repeated to London and Jidda.↩
  2. On November 7 in a meeting with the Saudi Arabian Ambassador, Allen informed al–Khayyal that the United States had expressed its concern to the British over the occupation of Buraimi. He also expressed the hope that the matter might still be resolved by arbitration. Allen then presented the Ambassador with a memorandum outlining the U.S. position on Buraimi. The memorandum reiterated U.S. concern over the collapse of arbitration and the British occupation of Buraimi. It also reaffirmed the earlier U.S. position that it had no advance knowledge of the British action, and expressed the hope that both parties might be able to resume arbitration. (Memorandum of conversation, November 7; ibid., 684A.86/11–755) A copy of the U.S. memorandum is attached to a memorandum of November 7 from Wilkins to Allen. (Ibid., 780.022/11–755) In telegram 230 to Jidda, November 9, the Department transmitted the substance of the memorandum presented to al–Khayyal on November 7. (Ibid., 780.022/11–955)↩
  3. On November 13 Secretary Dulles informed the Department from Geneva that he had told Macmillan that he hoped the British would be able to return to arbitration. According to Dulles, Macmillan indicated that this was impossible in view of the extent of Saudi corruption. Dulles added that Macmillan had stated that he was “hurt” by the content of the U.S. memorandum on Buraimi delivered to the British Embassy on November 3. (Secto 284; ibid., 396.1–GE/11–1355)↩