286. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom1
4217. London’s 3397.2 Department appreciates proposal set forth [Page 512] reftel and agrees on necessity minimizing to maximum extent differences in assessment between US and UK in Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf.
While Department certainly willing undertake type of joint assessment proposed we would be inclined await certain current developments before discussing this possibility with UK.
UK–SAG relations in our view remain key to improving US–UK understanding on Gulf problems. UK currently making active efforts through New York talks and through Iraqis establish basis renewal relations. Further, British themselves surveying problem of Oman and, on other side of peninsula, awaiting full assessment of implications failure London talks with Yemeni Crown Prince.
In Department’s view basic differences arising from respective approaches these problems are clear to both parties and these approaches are unlikely be modified as result proposed assessment procedure in absence indication UK willingness take steps necessary to re-establish relations on satisfactory basis with Saudi Arabia. Prospect of lengthy US–UK study these problems might also provide UK opportunity to retard active steps now in progress to resolve basic problem.
Department believes full normal exchange on these problems with British should continue and is prepared, should Embassy feel it would be helpful, to request individual US posts to make assessment. We are not inclined, however, favor at this moment steps envisioned reftel.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 788.022/12–957. Secret. Drafted by Newsom and approved by Rountree.↩
- In telegram 3397, November 29, the Embassy suggested a joint U.S.-British assessment of the situation in the Arabian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf and identification of points of disagreement as a basis for subsequent discussion to determine common lines of policy. (Ibid., 684A.86/11–2957)↩