890B.24/12–1745: Telegram
The Minister in Saudi Arabia ( Eddy ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:11 p.m.]
417. For ComGenAMET.42 Reurtel 372, December 15. Undelivered items of military lend-lease officially promised in writing to Saudi Govt are items critically needed by Saudi Army consisting principally of ammunition for arms already delivered and tools for army vehicles already delivered. Without tools the vehicles are soon useless in the desert, and ammunition speaks for itself.
Chief consideration is political importance of fulfilling promises to Arab Govts at this particular time. Saudi Govt was informed that by direction of the President entire lend-lease program made in 1945 would be carried through to completion, and they naturally assume this to include all categories of materials promised.
Sent Cairo repeated Dept as 417.
- Commanding General, United States Army Forces, African-Middle East Theater (Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Giles).↩