James E. Akins, former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, dead at 83; on duty during ’70s oil embargo

James Akins, former Saudi ambassador, dead at 83

MITCHELLVILLE, Md. — James E. Akins, the ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the Arab oil embargo in the 1970s, has died. He was 83.

He died suddenly of a heart attack on July 15 at a retirement village in Mitchellville, Md., his daughter Mary Beth Colvill said Sunday.

Akins took over as ambassador in September 1973, just a month before the Arab oil embargo began in October in retaliation for U.S. support of Israel. The embargo ended a year later, but Americans still remember the rationing and especially the long lines at gas stations.

Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger fired Akins in 1975, citing differences. His daughter says Akins went on to consult for multinational corporations, specializing in the Middle East and energy issues.

He was born in 1926 in Akron, Ohio, and attended the University of Akron. After leaving for two years to serve in the Navy in World War II, he graduated in 1947. He entered the Foreign Service in 1954 and spent two decades in several different spots overseas, including Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait and Iraq.

He was appointed to the State Department’s top energy post in 1968, where he served until becoming ambassador.

While Director of Fuels and Energy, he was one of the first to see the approaching energy crisis, according to his obituary. His analysis, including an article in Foreign Affairs magazine, won widespread recognition which resulted in him being invited to write President Richard Nixon’s first energy report.

Colvill, who was close to her father, described him as “funny, brilliant” and “loving to his family.”

At times, Akins criticized the U.S. for being pro-Israel enough to alienate Arabs, yet still dependent upon their oil.

Besides Colvill, Akins is survived by his wife, Marjorie, son, Thomas, and three grandchildren.