890F.24/23: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Egypt ( Kirk )

444. Department’s no. 364, March 11, 4 p.m. Although unable to find suitable used irrigation machinery, Wathen has ascertained where new equipment can be secured if priorities can be obtained to permit its transfer to the Saudi Arabian Government under Lend-Lease procedure. [Page 865] The Lend-Lease authorities however are unable to take steps to establish such priorities until it is ascertained that the Saudi Arabian Government desires to become a recipient of Lend-Lease aid.

In as much as it is understood that the machinery must be installed and in operation by next November in order to prepare land for planting of the next crop, please indicate the nature of your plans for proceeding to Saudi Arabia to confer with Ibn Saud.

Hull