Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 1

886D.2553/12–2454: Telegram

No. 379
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Butterworth) to the Department of State¹

secret

London, December 24, 1954—2 p.m.

2876. Reference Department telegram 3355.² Getty told Embassy today that he has not agreed to charter super-tanker Saud, or any other tanker. He added, Pacific Western has never chartered tankers, and does not expect to.

Getty said Onassis approached him about ten days ago regarding chartering Saud. He had replied that while he would be prepared, everything else being equal, to give preference to Saudi flag tankers, as outlined in Getty’s letter to SAG of last February, his company does not charter any tankers. Getty told Embassy in this connection, that he had carefully examined his concession from SAG, and had concluded there was nothing therein to require him to comply with Onassis tanker agreement with SAG. Onassis then asked Getty if Tidewater could charter Saud. He had referred inquiry to Tidewater, but received no reply. Getty expressed doubt Tidewater could use super tanker in view fact company’s berthing facilities San Francisco and Philadelphia inadequate and fact Tidewater has long term charter other tankers.

Foreign Office informed. Despatch follows.³

Butterworth

1. Repeated to Jidda, Kuwait, and Dhahran.
2. Telegram 2848 from London, Dec. 22, reported the Foreign Office had asked if it could confirm a report that Getty had recently made a deal with Onassis to transport oil from the Kuwait Neutral Zone. Telegram 3355 to London, Dec. 23, suggested the Embassy contact Getty, as the Pacific Western representative in New York did not have the information. (886D.2553/12–2254)
3. Despatch 1838 from London, Dec. 28, not printed. (886D.2553/12–2854)