Establishing Diplomatic Ties with Saudi Arabia

In 1939, President Roosevelt appointed Bert Fish as the first United States Minister to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The position was to be filled concurrently with his position in Egypt, and though Fish did not spend a significant amount of time in Saudi Arabia (the US had not established a brick and mortar legation), his role there was critical.

At the time, the United States was eager to establish a diplomatic relationship with Saudi Arabia, where just a year prior, Standard Oil of California (SoCal) had discovered what turned out to be the world’s largest source of petroleum. Fish arrived in Jeddah in February of 1940 amid concerns that Japan or Germany would compete for access to Saudi’s oil reserves.

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Bert Fish in audience with The King of Saudi Arabia. In his letters to Cordell Hull, he remarked that the King listened with "eager interest" to what he had to say and gave repeated reassurances of his confidence in Saudi Arabia's relationship with the United States.

During his visit, Fish presented his credentials to the King of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud (known to westerners as Ibn Saud). He was granted two audiences with the King, and over the course of their conversations, Ibn Saud relayed his assurances that he was happy with SoCal and its employees. He explicitly stated that Saudi Arabia was not interested in selling oil to the Japanese. 

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Invitation to a dinner at Jeddah Palace given by Crown Prince Faisel in Bert Fish's honor. In his letters to Cordell Hull, Fish reported that the palace served San Pellegrino water and a bounty of good food in "the European style." 

Translation: The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the honor to invite His Excellency Mr. Bert Fish to partake of evening food at the Palace of the Foreign Office in Jedda and that at the hour of 1:45 (7:45 pm) on the evening of Monday, falling upon the 26th of Dhu-l Hagga, 1358 (February 5, 1940). R.S.V.P.

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March 1, 1940

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March 4, 1940

Bert Fish wrote two letters to US Secretary of State Cordell Hull recounting his official visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in February, 1940. As this first US Minister to Saudi Arabia, his visit established diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Fish describes his experiences in Jeddah in great detail, from the particulars of Bedouin dress to the King's disposition toward the United States and Standard Oil of California. His account includes numerous formal and informal meetings with Saudi royalty and Saudi officials, as well as a formal dinner, and his official calls to members of the diplomatic corps. He had two audiences with the King, who made a special trip from Mecca for the occasion. Fish describes him as, "mild and pleasant" despite his "striking height and powerful frame." Perhaps most importantly to Hull, he was expressly receptive to American interests. 

Establishing Diplomatic Ties with Saudi Arabia