890F.24/88
The First Secretary of the British Embassy (Hayter) to the Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Alling)
Washington, December 4,
1943.
Dear Mr. Alling: It might perhaps be useful if I put on record my recollection of the conclusions of our meeting yesterday on the subject of arms for Saudi Arabia. I think we agreed that:
- (1)
- we should go 50/50 on the provision of arms to Saudi Arabia,
- (2)
- there is an optimum amount of arms for Saudi Arabia, the guide being that there should be sufficient for the maintenance of internal security but no more,
- (3)
- it is necessary to determine this optimum, but this cannot be done until we know the result of the Royce Mission to Jedda,
- (4)
- General Royce will be informed of the British Government’s view that assignments to Saudi Arabia in 1943 should not exceed 50 light reconnaissance cars, 500 light machine guns and 10,000 rifles,
- (5)
- General Royce might be invited to consult British Headquarters in the Middle East before making his final report to Washington, in the hope that an agreed opinion could be sent,
- (6)
- meanwhile there would be a moratorium on assignments or offers of arms to Saudi Arabia.
I shall be grateful if you will let me know whether the above correctly represents your opinion of what passed at our meeting. We are asking London to confirm that this is their wish.
Yours sincerely,
W. G. Hayter