Office of the Historian

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

Washington, May 1, 1964, 8:15 p.m.

2037. British Embassy has informed us that according BP source all OPEC countries withdrawing negotiating authority from OPEC team of Bazzaz, Rouhani and Nazir. Member countries have been authorized make direct approach their concessionary companies with view obtaining improvement oil companies offers. BP source stated he had seen Kuwait draft letter to KOC informing company that negotiating authority of Bazzaz et al has been withdrawn and that GOK wished direct discussion with company to begin May 28.

This would appear to constitute appreciable weakening in OPEC strength but comment addressee posts requested.

Rusk
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Records of the Department of State, Central Files, 1964–66, PET 3 OPEC. Confidential. Drafted by Blackiston and cleared by Oliver (FSE) and Davies (NEA). Sent to Kuwait, Jidda, Tehran, Tripoli, London, Baghdad, and Dhahran. Repeated to Djakarta and Caracas.↩