Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 2

780.022/7–753

No. 1526
Memorandum by the Secretary of State to the President¹

secret

Washington, July 7, 1953.

Subject:

• Alleged British Attack Against Saudi Subjects

I refer to my memorandum of June 30² transmitting a message from King Ibn Saud concerning an alleged attack by British bombers and armored cars against tribesmen in the Buraimi area who are stated to be Saudi subjects.

A report has now been received from the British and according to it the trouble started on June 23 when certain pro-Saudi elements of the Beni Kaab tribe fired on a patrol of British-controlled forces proceeding from Buraimi along the road to Sharjah (a Sheikhdom under British protection). On June 26 these pro-Saudi tribesmen established a road block to prevent movement of British forces. In the meantime pro-Muscat elements of the Beni Kaab tribe, fearing an attack by pro-Saudi members of the tribe, requested assistance and a group of British-controlled forces were sent into the area. Shots were exchanged between the hostile elements within the tribe and three pro-Saudi tribesmen were killed and four wounded. In the meantime the road block was forcibly removed and pro-Muscat tribal elements have undertaken to police the road. In the process one pro-Saudi tribesman was killed and one wounded. The British state that no aircraft or armored cars were used in this operation.

The demarcation line in the area is a vague one but we do know that, while certain elements of the Beni Kaab have a clear attachment to Ibn Saud, the Sultan of Muscat claims the whole of the territory within which the incidents took place.

This incident, involving factional strife within a tribe living in the neighborhood of the disputed area of Buraimi, emphasizes the importance of the British and Saudis proceeding with arbitration to which both sides are committed in principle, and I intend to press this view upon them.

The Department has communicated with our Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, in order that he may convey our views to the King.

John Foster Dulles

1. This memorandum was drafted by Fritzlan; BNA, EUR, and S/S also concurred with NEA. A handwritten notation in the margin stated that it was delivered to the White House on July 7. Attached to the source text was a memorandum by Byroade to the Secretary, dated July 6, not printed, recommending that he sign the memorandum for the President. (780.022/6–2953)
2. Not printed, but see footnote 1, Document 1519.