867N.01/11–2045: Telegram

The Chargé in Egypt (Lyon) to the Secretary of State

2164. From Minister Eddy43 Cairo. Amir Faisal44 asked me today whether US promise to seek no change in basic situation in Palestine without prior consultation with Arabs means without prior “agreement” of Arabs. If prior agreement is conceded to be a condition something may still be done to preserve waning respect of Arabs for the USA. I told him that consultation would be meaningless if the results were predetermined but that my personal understanding is that it assures full consideration of Arab opinion and local conditions.

Faisal spoke at length of his deep concern for our future relations.

“I am one of the few Arabians who have seen and know the USA. I know that your people are not anti-Arab nor eager to have the Zionists violate our sovereignty. Yet your Government has permitted itself to be placed in the position of urging the British to break their [Page 829] pledges to us. I assure you that the British are now telling us officially that they favor the Arab case against Zionism but they are being pushed by you into pro-Zionist moves. The very real admiration and respect which all Arabs held for America is evaporating rapidly and may soon disappear altogether along with our many mutual interests and cooperation.”

“We Arabs would rather starve or die in battle than see our lands and people devoured by the Zionists as you would do if we were giving them one of your states for a nation. Do not think we would yield to Zionism in the hope of survival or prosperity elsewhere. If it develops that the USA and British will aid the Zionists against our will and to our destruction we shall fight Zionism to the last man. In the meantime don’t forget that the British are blaming the initiative on the Americans.”

Sent Department as 2164, London as 131. [Eddy.]

Lyon
  1. William A. Eddy, Minister to Saudi Arabia.
  2. Saudi Arabian Minister for Foreign Affairs, second son of King Ibn Saud.