240. Letter From Secretary of State Dulles to Foreign Secretary Lloyd1
Dear Selwyn: I thank you for your letter of June 23, 1956 on Saudi Arabia. It is my hope also that we may find a way to work closely together in that country as elsewhere in the Middle East. You know the importance we attach to an improvement in the Western position there.
I fully agree with the desirability of a common intelligence assessment upon which to base our actions. Our staffs have frequently discussed the available information in the past. If you think it would be useful we are prepared to have another exchange. For our part we have little new data to add that will cast further light on Saudi intentions other than accumulating evidence of the extent of Egyptian activities.
However, we think that the pressure of events does not permit us the leisure to complete any formal exchange of intelligence prior to proceeding toward a solution of the Buraimi matter, which in our view remains the Gordian knot. I do not wish to imply either that we can give you assurances that a settlement at Buraimi would solve all our troubles or that I believe the Buraimi matter should be treated in isolation. The need is to start with Buraimi and work through the related problems. It occurs to me that you might wish to suggest to King Saud a new formula with Buraimi the first item in a package which would include delineation of all the frontiers which are in question. The package would then stand as a unit. This approach I believe would break away from further fruitless discussions of the agenda. The need for an overall boundary agreement is apparent to prevent the recurrence of future Buraimis. In my view it will be easier to reach such an agreement now than a few years hence. Furthermore, once an accord of this type is worked out there will be a solid position which could be defended in the UN and before world public opinion.
I am encouraged at the indications in your letter of your willingness to take a fresh look at Saudi Arabia and I am confident that we can find a way to resolve this problem. It exposes Saudi Arabia to the temptation of accepting Trojan Horse offers of support [Page 389] from Cairo and Moscow, and jeopardizes other programs of much wider import to our common interests in the Middle East. Sincerely yours,
- Source: Department of State, S/S-NEA Files: Lot 61 D 417. Top Secret. Drafted by Burdett. On July 11, Burdett delivered the signed original of the Dulles letter and one copy to Ronald Bailey, Counselor of the British Embassy, for transmittal to the Foreign Secretary. (Memorandum of conversation by Burdett, July 11; ibid., Central Files, 786A.00/7–1156) On July 11, the Department transmitted the text of both Lloyd’s letter and Dulles’ reply, eyes only, to Aldrich in London. (Telegram 187; ibid.)↩