244. Telegram From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Embassy in Pakistan1
93. Karachi for Henderson. Trevelyan called on Barbour yesterday to discuss next week’s ME talks (Department telegram 8428)2 and gave preliminary Foreign Office thinking as follows:
British anxious keep talks informal and he expected have only three or four aides. They do not contemplate keeping any agreed record or drawing up any document at end of talks although they do expect work from and suggest maybe possible redraft unagreed parts of document mentioned last paragraph Department referenced telegram such as para 9 (Embassy assumes Department’s representatives will bring copies of this document which Embassy has not received). Envisage endeavoring achieve agreement specific courses of action.
Trevelyan said Department had suggested group should discuss Egypt and that discussion of access ME oil should include question of sub-sea oil rights in Persian Gulf. These were agreeable to Foreign Office. Remarked re latter point that British would not want refer sub-sea question to some international legal body, which Department may contemplate. He added British would have some comments to make re Palestine problem as well. Re Buraimi, reiterated British difficulties [Page 545] making progress that problem, but expressed willingness discuss effects possible courses of action on British interests Gulf sheikhdoms and appraise net advantages various steps that might be taken.
As Trevelyan expressed desire meet privately with you as soon as possible after your arrival on June 11 Barbour suggested he dine that evening at Barbour’s house where if you have no objection you and Wilkins and Mathews will be staying. Trevelyan agreed importance talks be kept secret. However, as being reported separately matter may have already been leaked here by British. Wilson, McClanahan and Swihart will of course be available.