Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXXIV, Energy Diplomacy and Global Issues

224. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia¹

Washington, October 15, 1968, 2346Z.

255853. From Under Secretary Rostow.

1. Understand Brougham and top command Aramco increasingly disturbed at what they consider unbalanced US posture in Arab-Israel dispute and fearful of consequences to major US interests in peninsula.

2. If your briefing of senior company executives in Dhahran did not cover the recent US–USSR exchange, you may wish to return to fill out the picture in supplementary briefing or pouch copy State 254108, Oct 14,² to ConGen Dhahran to serve as basis for briefing.

3. We believe rationale outlined in our reply makes clear pitfalls we see if we do not persevere in our efforts to bring parties into agreement which will reduce or eliminate the basic causes of Arab-Israel conflict.

4. We would appreciate any impressions you may have gleaned of Aramco concerns during your recent briefing.

Rusk

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Middle East, Saudi Arabia Cables Vol. II, 4/67–1/69. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Davies and approved by Brown (S/S) and Rostow.
2. Not found; the reference should presumably be to telegram 254018, October 11; National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Records of the Department of State, Central Files, 1967–69, POL 27 ARAB–ISR.