Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The Near East and Africa, Volume VIII

811.7490G/8–2245

The Secretary of State to the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs ( Bevin )²²

Washington , August 22, 1945.

My Dear Mr. Bevin: Toward the end of our meeting at Potsdam,²³ I had a brief talk with Cadogan with respect to certain difficulties we were encountering in establishing direct radiotelegraph circuits between the United States on the one hand and Iraq and Saudi Arabia on the other.

Unless this problem clears up before we meet in London²⁵ next month I shall wish to discuss it further with you. I am enclosing, therefore, a brief memorandum from which you will note that, in line with our general policy of favoring the establishment of direct radiotelegraph circuits between this country and points abroad, we are particularly anxious to set up direct communication facilities with Iraq and Saudi Arabia in order to reduce the time of delivery and costs of messages. You will agree, I believe, that we should work for the most efficient and maximum flow of international communication and I feel sure that we can settle any points of difference on this particular problem when we meet. In view of my conversation with Cadogan, I am also sending him a copy of the enclosed memorandum.

With kindest regards and best wishes, I am

Sincerely yours,

James F. Byrnes

[Enclosure]

Direct Radiotelegraph Circuits Between the United States on the One Hand and Iraq and Saudi Arabia on the Other

The United States favors the establishment, wherever possible, of direct radiotelegraph circuits between this country and points abroad. As a result, there are at present direct radiotelegraph circuits between the United States and practically every foreign country. For some time past we have been endeavoring to prevail upon the Governments of Iraq and Saudi Arabia to cooperate in the establishment of direct telegraph communications between the United States and these two countries. Telegrams to these countries at present must pass through London or other relay points. In consequence, the cost of these telegrams is exorbitant and delivery is delayed.

It is obviously to the advantage of the United States on the one hand and Iraq and Saudi Arabia on the other, both from the cultural and economic points of view, that adequate, rapid and cheap means of communications be established between them, and the only way to bring this about is by the establishment of direct radiotelegraph circuits such as now exist between the United States and other Near Eastern countries, notably, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Lebanon, and Afghanistan. American governmental agencies and American communication companies are prepared to establish such direct circuits with Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Private British communication interests, which have practical monopolies upon the external telegraph communications of Iraq and Saudi Arabia, have been endeavoring to prevent the establishment of the direct circuits between the United States and Iraq and Saudi Arabia. We feel that it would be unfortunate if the development of communications between the United States and these two Near Eastern countries should be blocked by private interests eager to continue to derive profit from the present unsatisfactory system. It should be pointed out that the United States Government is opposed to the efforts of private monopolies to prevent the utilization of scientific developments for the general good. Furthermore, the United States would not support any American telecommunication company which might seek to prevent the establishment of direct radiotelegraph communications between any portion of the British Commonwealth of Nations and foreign points based on any monopolistic contract which such American company might enjoy.

The matter of a direct radiotelegraph circuit with Iraq has been discussed with the Regent of Iraq and other members of his suite,²⁶ who have indicated great interest in the establishment of such a circuit. The American Legation at Baghdad has also been instructed²⁷ to press upon the Iraqi authorities the desirability of such a means of communications between our two countries.

Similarly, for some time past now, the question of the establishment of a direct radiotelegraph circuit between the United States and Saudi Arabia has been actively discussed both with the Saudi Arabian Government and the British authorities in London. The Saudi Arabian Government has given notice of its desire to modify an existing exclusive contract which it had entered into with a private British communication company, and is considering the erection of a radio station in Saudi Arabia which would be capable of communicating directly with this country and which would be operated by the Saudi Arabian Government. It is hoped that no further impediments will be placed in the way of the establishment of this circuit.

22. Copy transmitted by the Secretary of State, under covering letter of August 22 to London, for delivery to Mr. Bevin (811.7490G/8–2245); Secretary Byrnes also forwarded a shorter letter for Sir Alexander Cadogan, British Permanent Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (811.7490G/8–2245).
23. This is a reference to the July 16–August 2 meeting between President Truman, British Prime Minister Churchill (Mr. Clement Attlee was Prime Minister from July 28), and Soviet Chairman (Premier) Stalin; see Foreign Relations, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, 2 vols.
25. This refers to the impending meeting at London on September 11 of the Council of Foreign Ministers; for documentation regarding this meeting, see vol. ii, pp. 99 ff.
26. For information on the visit to the United States of the Regent of Iraq, Prince Abdul Hah, see bracketed note, p. 586. The question of the direct circuit was discussed by President Truman with the Regent and Nuri as-Said, former Iraqi Prime Minister (memorandum of May 28 by Acting Secretary of State Grew, 890G.001/5–2845); for memorandum of May 29 covering further discussions on the matter by officers of the Department with Nuri Pasha and the Iraqi Minister, see p. 49.
27. Instruction 332, June 6, not printed.