890F.00/12–2745: Telegram
The Minister in Saudi Arabia (Eddy) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:48 p.m.]
438. King comes to Jidda from Mecca today or tomorrow to receive credentials of Syrian Minister Jamil Mardam and will probably summon me for audience according to Acting FoMin.
He also told me that Syria and Lebanon are deferring action on bilateral civil air agreement with USA65 until they ascertain US and British policies in Levant in immediate future and extent of real aid and support US will afford. He implied that Saudi Arabia will act in concert with other Arab States and agree with them before acting on US offer of bilateral air agreement. Though official reply will be given by King alone FoMin implied that there is no chance of Saudi Arabian Govt signing air agreement now. I gathered that Arab League is holding common front on bilateral air agreements as possible quid pro quo until they ascertain extent to which anti-Arab policies may be pursued by Allies in Levant and Palestine but this is only my inference and must be verified by developments.