Office of the Historian

800.6363/11–2745: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State

London . November 27, 1945—5 p.m.
[Received 9:30 p.m.]

12390. According Lenahan24 Colonial Office officials concerned have approved wording draft Arabian-American pipe line conventions Palestine and Trans-Jordan (Embassy’s telegram No. 12301 November 2325).

Embassy inquired of Ronald26 FonOff concerning status matter. Ronald said that FonOff endorsed view British military who, for strategic reasons, want see pipe line completed to Mediterranean soon possible. FonOff looked into status and advised Embassy matter progressing perfectly satisfactorily. Draft conventions were sent Palestine about November 17 with favorable transmittal from Colonial Office.

Negotiations started year ago [in] Palestine. First meeting London March 21 this year. Question amount payment Trans-Jordan, only pending point on which agreement not yet reached, first raised April 25.

Company representatives and Embassy have been repeatedly assured British Government favors project and explanations given for delays in concluding negotiations seemed reasonable at time. British officials have indicated Palestine authorities preoccupation with situation [Page 61] there27 may occasion further delay in concluding conventions. FonOff has asked Colonial Office to send follow-up to expedite matter Palestine. However, Lenahan now feels length negotiations already unjustifiable and Palestine situation no basis for further delay since officials there need only note draft conventions contain amendments, to existing pipe line conventions, those officials proposed after long deliberation.

Embassy has kept in continuous touch with company representatives and British officials regarding matter and has taken every action deemed appropriate to expedite negotiations. However, in light of foregoing, Dept may wish to instruct Embassy further as well as Consulate General Jerusalem.28

FonOff has advised British Embassy Washington of status of negotiations.

Sent to Dept as No. 12390, repeated Jerusalem as No. 24.

Winant
  1. William J. Lenahan, representative of the Arabian American Oil Company at London in connection with concluding a convention to sanction construction of a pipeline by the company from Saudi Arabia to an outlet in Palestine in Transjordan.↩
  2. Not printed.↩
  3. Sir Nigel Bruce Ronald, Assistant Under Secretary of State in the British Foreign Office.↩
  4. For documentation on the Arab-Zionist controversy concerning the status of Palestine, see pp. 678 ff.↩
  5. In telegram 10588, December 6, 1945, 6 p.m., to London, repeated to Jerusalem, the Department stated it saw “no reason for further instruction to Embassy regarding matter discussed in urtel 12390.” (800.6363/11–2745)↩