261. Airgram From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Department of State1
SUBJECT
- Oil Crisis: Kudos to US
In the course of a wide range of conversations with official and trade sources about the European or more specifically UK oil outlook which is generally characterized now as probably manageable although still fraught with uncertainties, the Embassy has repeatedly heard one theme—that if the supply and tanker situation do seem manageable now and for the foreseeable future, this is in large part due to the prompt response of the US to the emergency, in the form of emergency measures and increased crude availabilities, and to the sense of urgency [Page 468] that the US initiatives generated among companies and governments in Western Europe.
In almost every conversation, comparisons are made with 1956, and there follow expressions of gratification, frequently coupled with surprise, at the speed and effectiveness of the US response in 1967. (Questions usually are asked then about continuing and/or increased availabilities of US crude, and about prices.)
Comment: We think it worth reporting these expressions because they have occurred so frequently and so spontaneously at all levels and because for a variety of reasons official and trade sources are likely to avoid public announcements on the subject.
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Records of the Department of State, Central Files, 1967–69, PET 2 UK. Limited Official Use. Drafted by J. McGrath (E/GEN), cleared by W. Armstrong, and approved by L. Percival. Repeated to Paris for OECD and Brussels for USEC.↩