CYFR/CAT A PRIORITY FOREIGN OFFICE TO JEDDA TELNO 1282 21 NOVEMBER 1966 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED. YOU MAY KNOW THAT SIR BRUCE WHITE, WOLFE, BARRY AND PARTNERS, CONSULTING ENGINEERS, TENDERED SOME TIME AGO FOR THE POST OF CONSULTANTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DAMMAM PORT, IN THE COURSE OF A SERIES OF VISITS BY THEIR PARTNERS THEY HAVE REDUCED THEIR TERMS AND NOW BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE VERY CLOSE TO THE LOWEST BID, AND IN DIRECT COMPETITION WITH A BELGIAN FIRM GIREC. 2. THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THE BELGIAN AMBASSADOR HAS WRITTEN TO THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS EXPRESSING THE HOPE THAT GIREC WILL BE AWARDED THE WORK: AND HAVE ASKED THAT YOU SHOULD TAKE SIMILAR ACTION. 3. SIR B. WHITE, WOLFE, BARRY AND PARTNERS ARE A REPUTABLE FIRM WHO SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE A GOOD JOB OF THIS CONSULTANCY (THEY HAVE UNDERTAKEN SIMILAR WORK FOR H.M.G. AT VARIOUS TIMES), AND THE CONTRACT IS LIKELY TO BE VALUABLE. ON THE OTHER HAND YOU MAY KNOW OF OTHER BRITISH CONSULTANTS IN THE RUNNING: OR YOU MAY FEEL THAT YOUR INFORMATION IN WRITING COULD CREATE AN AWKWARD PRECEDENT. I MUST THEREFORE LEAVE THE DICISION TO YOU 4. PLEASE REPORT BY TELEGRAM WHAT ACTION IF ANY YOU TAKE. SOSFA SENT 1752Z/21 NOVEMBER DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION E.R.D. ARABIAN DEPT. AAAAA TOP COPY RESTRICTED
