Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969–1974

317. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State¹

Jidda, February 11, 1974, 0910Z.

683. Subject: Petroleum Supply to U.S. Fleets. Ref: A) Jidda 328; B) Jidda 333.²

1. Ahmed Zaki Yamani, Saudi Minister of Petroleum, told me February 10 that after our last conversation on January 21 (ref A), he calmed down somewhat. He went back to the King, told him the whole story and said that Jungers’ stupidity should not be allowed to provoke Saudi Arabia into taking action which would cause severe harm to the U.S.

2. Yamani said the King agreed. Yamani then informed Aramco it should resume shipments to the U.S. fleets. He has told the company manager, however, (and he again reminded me) that any leaks or additional gaffes would destroy him and would certainly severely affect our relationship with the Kingdom.

3. He was surprised that I hadn’t been informed. I told him that if only the King knew this in Saudi Arabia, I could scarcely expect to be told by him. I was, however, surprised that neither Aramco or Washington had mentioned this.

4. Action requested: I assume fuel deliveries to the fleets have been resumed and are continuing normally. Please let me know immediately if this information has been transmitted to DOD, and if the supply to the fleets, in fact is progressing without hitch.

Akins

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 139, Country Files, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Dec 73–Feb 74. Top Secret; Immediate; Cherokee; Nodis.
2. See Document 283 and footnote 3 thereto.