Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, The Far East, Volume V

890F.51/10–2744

The Secretary of War (Stimson) to the Secretary of State

Washington, October 27, 1944.

Dear Mr. Secretary: As a result of a recent conference between representatives of the War Department and Department of State concerning the various problems arising out of our relations vis-à-vis Saudi Arabia, it has become apparent that the national interests of the United States can best be safeguarded by presenting to King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud, through diplomatic channels, all of the requirements and desired concessions of the United States and at the same time informing the King of the nature of the assistance that can be given by the United States to Saudi Arabia.

Both from a long and a short range point of view the most important military interest in Saudi Arabia is oil and closely following this in importance is the right to construct airfields, the use of air space, and the right to make aerial surveys in connection therewith. There are also a number of relatively minor matters that require consideration and determination at the earliest practicable time.

The King of Saudi Arabia, as a result of discussions with representatives of various War Department agencies during the past two years, has requested directly or inferentially various types of assistance. These take the form of military supplies and equipment, including aircraft, training missions, and engineering construction and technical services.

The assistance, however, has not been requested nor granted as a quid pro quo for any one of the above items specifically, but such aid that has been given has been furnished on an individual basis with the firm knowledge that any help to the King would serve both to promote good will and to enhance our position. It is realized that it is necessary to complete action on the matters that have not been finally agreed upon and to make further concessions if our interests are to be safeguarded. In order that you may have before you all of the matters pending concerning Saudi Arabia, a list of these items have been tabulated in the attached enclosure.

I would appreciate an expression by you of the views of the Department of State as to the means and methods which should be adopted in order to promote and safeguard these interests of the United States in Saudi Arabia. Copies of this letter are being sent to the Secretary of Navy and to the Army-Navy Petroleum Board.

Sincerely yours,

Henry L. Stimson

[Enclosure]

Brief of Problems Concerning Saudi Arabia

I. Requirements and desired concessions of the United States.

1. The right to construct airfields, including the construction of weather observation stations, emergency landing fields and other navigational aids.

This would include the immediate construction of an airfield at Ras Tanura (Dhahran) to relieve the increasing congestion at Bahrein (Iraq Island).

2. Permission to use air routes across Saudi Arabia and to use air space as needed.

A direct route from Cairo to Dhahran would result in a saving of over 200 miles on each flight.

3. Permission to make aerial surveys of Saudi Arabia for the pro-posed air routes, fields, etc.

4. Permission to exercise control of law and order, including trial by American judges, over all United States citizens, both civilian and military, located in the oil sections of Saudi Arabia and in the areas used by the Air Force.

See letter dated September 30, 1944 on this subject.⁶⁹

5. Oil for military use.

The Department of State, the Navy Department and the Army-Navy Petroleum Board are familiar with the details concerning oil concessions and requirements.

II. Aid and assistance requested by the King of Saudi Arabia including such assistance as has already been given.

1. A military mission has been requested to train the Saudi Arabian Army and Airforce on modern lines.

This mission would include training in the arms and services for the army and the training of pilots and mechanics for the airforce. It would be necessary to send aircraft and other training aids in addition to the military personnel. (At the present time there is a small United States Military Mission to the Saudi Arabian Army engaged in instructing technical services and this mission is scheduled to be discontinued on January 1, 1945.) The Department of State has requested in a letter dated October 5, 1944, that this mission be expanded and also to include the proposed Air Mission and be continued after its expiration date of January 1, 1945. The Department of State further recommended one continuing mission of a permanent character is to be preferred to separate missions of a temporary character.

It has been proposed that in the performance of this training mission, occasional air transportation for the King and his highest officials be undertaken and, together with further training in the United States for some of the advanced students, that all training equipment and planes used in the Mission should become the property of the Saudi Arabian Government. (An air mission to train each group of 10 pilots and necessary mechanics would represent an approximate outlay of $250,000.00 based upon the best available information.)

2. Lend-Lease for military equipment and supplies for the Saudi Arabia Army has been requested and given.

Saudi Arabia has been declared eligible for Lend-Lease and the United States is now engaged in sending military equipment on the basis of a 50–50 contribution by Great Britain. The American commitment is approximately 82% complete. Total amount of Lend-Lease to be furnished by the United States Government amounted to $1,100,093.23 of which $793,828.41 has been assigned according to the latest figures. In addition to the above, it is proposed that uniforms for 11,000 men be provided and these supplies be furnished on the same basis as the Lend-Lease agreement.

The King has also requested that:

a. six transport aircraft, preferably C–47’s, and four bombers be furnished;

b. that a small arms plant capable of producing 45–calibre and 7.9 mm. cartridges be built;

c. that certain roads of strategic importance be either constructed or repaired;

d. that a survey of water supply points be made for improvement of existing ones or development of new water supply points, and that pipe be furnished for this water system;

e. that certain radio communication equipment be furnished; and

f. that certain English speaking natives be educated in the medical profession in the United States for service as medical officers in the Saudi Arabia Army.

3. A request has been wade for taxes or other revenues for the use of landing fields.

The proposed airfields would be of some assistance to Saudi Arabia but such assistance would not equal the benefits that would accrue to the United States. Therefore, some further recompense to Saudi Arabia will be necessary.

4. Copies of surveys and charts prepared as result of aerial survey have been requested by the King of Saudi Arabia.

The cost of these surveys would be approximately $85,000.00.

5. Oil Revenue.

No comment is made on this by the War Department as this is believed to be a matter within the purview of the Department of State, the Navy Department, and the Army-Navy Petroleum Board.

69. Not printed.