Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Near East: Jordan-Yemen, Volume XIII

145. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom²

Washington, December 13, 1955—8:01 p.m.

3320. Embtel 2416.³ You should inform Foreign Office USG is deeply concerned re information that Sultan of Muscat is moving into Oman with force. Without doubt this move will be regarded as having been taken with British concurrence, and as most serious development in view tension already created by Buraimi dispute. It comes at time when USG has been making every effort restrain Saudi Arabia from taking more vigorous action re Buraimi and in face our several messages to UK on this subject. It seems most likely this event, when known, may precipitate Saudi request for SC consideration both of Buraimi issue and action against Oman. We have been told informally Soviet delegate has promised SAG full support on Buraimi in Security Council.

US has always believed that US and UK should cooperate in area. This particularly necessary at this time because of recent developments. If we had been informed earlier of Muscati action we would have urged UK to make every effort to restrain Sultan. Because of interests which we both have in southeastern Arabia, we believe it is essential that UK take this action now. We are considering direct appeal to Sultan and will appreciate further word from UK in order to coordinate this approach.

We appreciate Foreign Office desire to keep information confidential but understand action already becoming known. In these circumstances UK will realize that US when matter is discussed will be required to state it had no advance knowledge whatsoever of action and if it had would have urged that it not be taken.

You should also inform Foreign Office USG believes status Imam of Oman an open question on which US has not taken stand. Saudi Arabia has not in so far as we can presently determine claimed territory of Imam, but recognizes his independent status. US has doubts treaty of 1833 between US and Sultan is conclusive on point of independence of Oman. You might add the following details as desirable during your discussion: Treaty furnishes no indication of US position with regard to extent of Sultan’s territories at the time. Arabic text uses term “Protector of Muscat and its Dependencies,” thus not defining extent of Sultan’s sovereignty. In addition, date line of English text referring to “Kingdom of Aman,” is absent in Arabic text. Even in English text, ruler refers to himself solely as “Sultan of Muscat.”⁴

Dulles

2. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 780.022/12–1255. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Wilkins and Newsom; approved by Hoover. Repeated priority to Jidda and Paris and to Dhahran and Aden.
3. Dated December 12; it reported that the British Foreign Office had informed the Embassy in confidence that the Sultan of Muscat had initiated an offensive against the Imam of Oman. (Ibid.)
4. On December 14, the Embassy informed the Department that it had conveyed telegram 3320 to the Foreign Office, emphasizing U.S. concern over the Sultan’s campaign into Oman and urging Britain to attempt to restrain the Sultan. According to the Embassy, Foreign Office officials expressed their disappointment that on both the Buraimi and Muscat issues, British arguments did not seem persuasive to the United States. (Telegram 2463 from London; ibid., 786E.00/12–1455)