Office of the Historian

223. Telegram From the Department of State to the Consulate General in Alexandria, Egypt1

Washington, July 6, 1979, 1737Z.

174919. Alexandria pass USMEDel Strauss for Amb. Strauss SNT9. Subject: Presidential Message on Saudi Production Increase.

[Page 713]

1. President has asked that Ambassador Strauss, during his visit to Saudi Arabia, convey following personal message to Crown Prince Fahd, and to King Khalid should he meet with him:

—I am deeply appreciative of the indication that the Government of Saudi Arabia has decided to increase oil production temporarily to help relieve the serious strains in the international oil market.2

—This is a statesmanlike decision which reflects Saudi Arabia’s notable sense of responsibility toward the welfare of the international economy.

—As you know, we in the US are in the process of taking some difficult steps in the US which will serve the same purpose by reducing US demand for imported oil.

—I have asked Ambassador Strauss to convey my appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s action and my conviction that this represents in striking manner how our two governments can work toward the common goal of promoting an orderly world economy.

2. If Ambassador West has not yet relayed to Crown Prince Fahd the oral message from the President on Saudi moderating role in OPEC decision,3 those points might also be delivered by Strauss along with this message.

Christopher
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, D790307–0300. Confidential; Niact; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Twinam; cleared in NEA, EB, S/S, and by Gary Sick of the NSC Staff; and approved by Cooper. Repeated Immediate to Riyadh, Amman, and Jidda.↩
  2. The New York Times reported that on July 3 the Saudi Government announced on radio in Riyadh that oil production would increase. (The New York Times, July 4, 1979, p. D1) The White House issued a statement on July 9 indicating that the President had received a “personal commitment” from Crown Prince Fahd on the increase in Saudi oil production. The statement expressed the President’s appreciation for the decision. For text of the statement, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Jimmy Carter, 1979, p. 1226.↩
  3. Not further identified.↩