Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Near East: Jordan-Yemen, Volume XIII

264. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, February 2, 1957, 3 p.m.¹

Washington, February 2, 1957, 3 p.m.

SUBJECTS

• 1. Arms for Saudi Arabia
• 2. Extension of the Dhahran Airfield Agreement

PARTICIPANTS

• U.S. Participants
  • Mr. Murphy
  • Ambassador Wadsworth
  • General Cannon
  • Admiral Bergin
  • General Smith
  • Colonel Critz
  • Colonel Elliker
  • Colonel Burtenshaw
  • Colonel Harding
  • Major Owen
  • Mr. Newsom
  • Mr. Stevens
  • Dr. Evans
  • Mr. Hancock
  • Mr. Wilson
  • Mr. Seager
  • Mr. Sherwood
  • Mr. Stoltzfus
• Saudi-Arabia Participants
  • HRH Prince Fahad
  • HE Yusuf Yasin
  • General Tassan
  • Major Taib
  • Major Snobar
  • Mamdouh Adib
  • Captain Badawi
  • Captain Sabri
  • Lt. Col. Muhammad Al-Namlah
  • Interpreter, Mohammad Massoud

Mr. Murphy opened the meeting by reading a statement, a summary of which follows. The USG is happy to begin these talks which were agreed upon by the President and His Majesty, the King. In these talks we will review for the consideration of our respective Governments certain proposals which we are prepared to make in furtherance of cooperation between our two Governments. We propose to open technical discussions on two subjects; first, the extension of the Dhahran Airfield Agreement, and secondly, on the degree to which the United States Government can assist in developing SAG armed forces. We wish at the outset to express our appreciation for the manner in which the SAG has received Ambassador Wadsworth in discussions in Saudi Arabia. We are also grateful for SAG cooperation at Dhahran during days when our attention has been diverted to the serious problems of the area. It has been the consistent view of each Government that an agreement can be reached to our mutual best interests. Since 1945 the USG has benefited from Saudi Arabian cooperation at Dhahran. We wish to make clear to the SAG that the US has world-wide commitments and each commitment must be related to our total responsibility. We also must point out that US aid is extended within the framework of existing US laws and according to the availability of funds which are controlled by the US Congress. The US wishes to continue its airbase at Dhahran and to aid in the building of a strong defense for Saudi Arabia. A part of our thinking envisions contributions to the training of SAG forces. This contribution on a somewhat more modest scale has been discussed in the past. US officials present at the meeting will emphasize the importance of providing a sound foundation for training. The real value of such a training program far exceeds its money value. This Government has received the revised program for the military equipment needs of the SAG, and the President has indicated our willingness to provide for such needs under the current reimbursable military aid agreement. We are also prepared to comment on the price and availability of these specific needs. It is also understood that separate discussions with the Ministry of Finance will take place concerning economic problems. Lastly, we will also discuss the interrelationship of the military and economic problems.

Prince Fahad then replied expressing thanks and appreciation for the opportunity of meeting with Mr. Murphy and the other officials and expressing his confidence that the discussions would lead to good results and the continued cooperation of the two Governments. Prince Fahad then referred to the detailed program which had been submitted and stated that it was SAG’s wish that this plan be achieved in two years instead of the four years as originally intended.

Shaikh Yusuf speaking on behalf of the Prince stated that he wished to consider the memorandum to the President which the King had presented on Wednesday as an agenda. He hoped this would be agreeable to the US.

Shaikh Yusuf summarized the memorandum as it pertained to the military and airbase questions. The memorandum notes the delays which have been encountered by the Saudi Arabian Government in obtaining arms from the US, and requests the President’s aid on five points:

1. Agreement on the supply of sufficient arms for 13 regiments, excepting the Royal Guard and the Royal Air Force;

2. Furnishing armaments for 2 complete divisions in accordance with the program as developed in Riyadh, within two years;

3. Equipping the SAG Airforce on the basis of 100 planes of different types;

4. Fulfillment of this program in two years, emphasizing that the completion of regimental plans and airforce plans should follow the delivery of arms for the two divisions;

5. Development of the nucleus of a SAG Navy to defend the coast.

Shaikh Yusuf then proposed that the agenda incorporate the following points:

1. A listing of the items of equipment required for the Saudi Arabian Army, Navy and Airforce, together with the dates of delivery for each of them.

2. Costing of these items and means of payment.

3. Relation to the Dhahran Airfield Agreement of such payments.

4. Training programs.

5. Agreement that all military hardware furnished must be brand new and of the most modern design.

Shaikh Yusuf said this was how SAG visualized its needs and that the USG may wish to suggest changes. SAG realizes that the USG is much better at developing tables of organization and expenses, he added, than is his Government.

Admiral Bergin commented on the SAG plan, noting that the USG recognizes the importance of his Majesty’s memorandum and vital need to strengthen Saudi Arabian Government forces. He noted that a copy of the SAG plan had been received recently and that an initial review of it indicated certain changes in the program which had been previously considered. Admiral Bergin added that we have certain letters of offer prepared at this time and are prepared to deliver them. Furthermore, it now appears that additional requirements beyond these letters of offer may be necessary. Admiral Bergin proposed that representatives of the Saudi Government and the USG meet early next week to establish detailed lists. He then proposed to present an air training program which has been worked out by the USG.

Shaikh Yusuf inquired if it was the same training program which Ambassador Wadsworth had already presented. Ambassador Wadsworth replied that it was a more highly developed program aimed at the achievement of a SAG Airforce.

Prince Fahad stated that we should agree on principles and leave details to the experts. Mr. Murphy replied that we need time to study the SAG proposals but wish to give them the benefit of our preliminary thinking. He said that we seek agreement on principles as did His Highness but that we wanted a clear understanding of the problems.

Shaikh Yusuf replied that the first principle is that Saudi Arabian Governments want US arms. It was his understanding of what the President and the Secretary had said that the United States Government is ready to give arms.

Shaikh Yusuf said that it was therefore agreed that the SAG agrees to accept US arms and that the USG agrees to supply them. Mr. Murphy replied that he would prefer to phrase it in terms that the USG wished to assist the SAG. He did not think that we could say, “The USG agrees to arm Saudi Arabia”. Mr. Murphy continued that whereas we wished to cooperate in achieving an armament for Saudi Arabia we feel the details should be agreed upon simultaneously.

Mr. Murphy and Ambassador Wadsworth then clarified the discussion by pointing out to the Saudi officials that a mutual agreement would depend on answering clearly the questions of “what” and “how” and “when”—i.e. what items should be delivered, under what conditions and when. Shaikh Yusuf agreed.

Mr. Murphy then said that there were two points that he wished to make. The first was our recognition of the importance which the SAG attaches to the obtaining of US equipment. The second point was the importance which the USG attaches to the question of training of personnel. This government has had much experience over many years in training foreign personnel and the importance of this cannot be overemphasized. He mentioned as one example of the failure of adequate training the case of Egypt. Mr. Murphy then said that we now hold letters of offer which will be ready at an early date.

Shaikh Yusuf replied he fully agreed on the importance of training and returning to the critical questions of “what” and “when” and “how”, he summarized his agreement as to the “what” by saying he would agree to defer to the military experts the study on the list prepared in Riyadh. He pointed out that His Majesty in his memorandum to the President had agreed to this list with the amendment that two years instead of four be given for its fulfillment. Ambassador Wadsworth said it has been his view that the fulfillment of this plan could not be achieved in two years, but that this question would be answered in the course of the discussions between the military experts. Shaikh Yusuf then said he thought this a good omen that our work would be successful because it appeared we were coming to an agreement quickly. He said he agreed that experts on both sides should study and recommend the feasibility of completing the program in two years.

There followed a discussion of the establishment of two committees; one committee to work on the 13 regiment plan, and the other to work on the training program. Mr. Murphy said that Colonel Critz would represent the USG on the first committee, and that General Smith or his representative would be our representative on the second committee. It was agreed that the committees would meet in the Pentagon at 10 a.m. Monday morning.²

[Here follows discussion of the technical aspects of military and training programs for Saudi Arabia.]

1. Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 833. Secret. Drafted by Sherwood and Stoltzfus. A copy is also ibid., Central File 786A.5–MSP/ 2–257.
2. The technical military discussions held at the Pentagon on Monday, February 4, were summarized in a memorandum from Rountree to Murphy, February 6. (Ibid., 786A.5–MSP/2–657)