Coll 35/6 'Arabia: Hejaz-Nejd; wireless stations; postal and telegraph communications with the outside world' [‎56r] (111/1031)

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COPY.
(Vf 10249/1476/801)
Sec/KKJ/W
Cable snd Wireless Limited,
Electro House,
Victoria Embankment,
London,
W'.C.2.
19th December, 1944
Sir,
With reference to the conversations with *r. Rodney
Gallop and other officials at the Foreign Office on the
subject of telegraphic communication with Saudi Arabia, we
have reviewed the telegraph facilities existing at the eastern
end of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , particularly those at Bahrain and
Dahran, There is no doubt that the relative situation of
these two places is such that a much clearer and better
telegraphic service with London and New York can be given
by a station situated on the island of Bahrain than by a
station on the mainlsnd at Dahran* We are therefore planning
to erect a 10 K.w. transmitter with the necessary power
plant, receivers, etc*, at our existing station at Bahrain
which is already in communication with Aden, Muscat, Karachi
and other places. This new station would be worked by our
own operators and would be capable of giving a satisfactory
service to London, New York end the other places we have
mentioned*
Another consideration which impels us to prefer a station
at Bahrain is the fact that a station at Dahran operating
only with New York would not in our opinion be likely to be
satisfactory financially.
The next point to be considered is the necessary link
between Bahrain and Dahran as well as any other place on the
mainland which may wish to common cate with the new station*
Without knowing the volume and category of the traffic that
will have to be handled it would be difficult at the present
time to say what link would be provided, but we are prepared
to do whatever is necessary to provide a satisfactory service.
We shall be prepared to instal and operate a telegraph
station at Dshran with the necessary wireless equipment for
communication with Bahrain* If communication is required
with other places on the mainland besides Dahran we shall
be glad to receive some further information about it.
We understood from the conversations that there are two
other parties to be considered, that is to say the United
States Government and the Saudi Arabian Government, We shall
be glad if you will be good enough, if you think fit, to
take the matter up with the United States Authorities so that
we may know whether they would be prepared to advise the Saudi
Arabian Government that these plans are satisfactory.
If there is any other information which you require on
this subject, we shall be glad to let you have it and we ask
that we may be kept advised of any action you may take in
the matter*
I am, etc*,
( Sgd.)
Secretary
The Under-Secretary of State,
Foreign Office,
S.W.l.