811.7490F/11–2244: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 22—1:35 p.m.]
10259. ReDepts 9765 November 20, midnight. Our earnest hope that the Saudi Arabian Government would be advised that the [Page 770] British Government had no objection to the establishment of a radio station by the Saudi Arabian Government, making possible a direct circuit to the United States, was presented with emphasis. Preliminary, oral reply was that British Government could not go so far as to tell Saudi Arabian Government, in effect, to cancel a contract with a British company. At British Government’s insistence, however, Cable and Wireless was now engaged in exploring the possibility of improving its present service so as to meet our contention that it was entirely inadequate.
A detailed written reply will be made by Foreign Office very shortly and will be forwarded to you. There are other considerations involved.