Visit of Sheikh Ahmad Zaki Yamani, Saudi Arabian Minister of Petroleum, to UK, 28-30 November 1973

This file relates to a visit to London by the Saudi Arabian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Wealth Sheikh Ahmad Zaki Yamani and the Algerian Minister of Industry and Energy M Belaid Abdesselam. This visit was part of a tour of Western capitals to explain the Arab viewpoint on the oil resolutions adopted in two meetings held by Arab oil ministers. The two resolutions involve the reduction of oil production and an embargo on the US and Netherlands as a result of support for Israel in the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. The file contains associated correspondence, briefs, and records of conversations, including reference to:

• Arrangements for the visit, including a warning not to raise the Burmah Oil Company proposal and HMG's opposition to Saudi Arabia's threat to nationalise the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO)
• Personality notes on the visitors, including reports that Abdessalam is a tough negotiator and that Yamani has an uneasy relationship with the Saudi Royal Family
• Price increases agreed by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
• The transcript of an interview on Danish television with Yamani
• The effect of the reduction of oil production on Britain and dependent territories such as Hong Kong
• The collective approach of the European Economic Community (EEC)
• The suspension of arms supplies to certain Middle Eastern states
• Meetings involving Yamani, Abdesselam, Foreign Secretary Alec Douglas-Home, and Minister of Industry Tom Boardman
• Parliamentary questions by Arthur Lewis, Norman Lamont, S Clinton Davis, and Gerald Kaufman