Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXI, Near East Region; Arabian Peninsula

136. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Posts¹

Washington, February 12, 1968, 1649Z.

113711. Subject: Discussions with British re Persian Gulf.

1. Assistant Secretaries Battle and Sisco, in course discussions with Greenhill (UK Fonoff) and British Embassy officers had brief exchange on Britain’s future role in Gulf.

2. Battle noted that although British military presence being phased out, USG hoped British political presence and ties with Gulf states will remain. To this end, and in view of our major interests in Arabian Peninsula, USG hopes that it can participate in British planning for future.

3. Greenhill said that British economic interests in Gulf were “profound and enduring.” HMG would use time to 1971 to seek to leave an orderly political situation behind and is keen to get moving in this direction. As thinking evolves British will want to discuss planning with USG and to enlist US help as possible.

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, DEF 1 UK. Secret. Drafted by Davies, cleared by Sisco, and approved by Battle. Sent to London, Jidda, Tehran, Aden, Kuwait, and Dhahran.