711.90/6–2047: Telegram
The Minister in Saudi Arabia ( Childs ) to the Secretary of State
252. ReLegtels 247 and 249.1 Am sending Department as soon as possible full transcriptions important conversations Riyadh with HM, HRH Prince Faisal2 and Shaikh Yussef Yassin, Deputy Foreign Minister covering four extended audiences on June 17th to 19th. The burden of these conversations was briefly as follows:
- (1)
- HM is profoundly concerned about the present Middle East situation including in particular activities carried out by Iraq and Transjordan. HM considers those Governments are being backed by the British and also that the British are the instigators of their activities. This attitude of the British was only taken after the development of closer relations between HM and the US. The British are especially jealous of the existing economic relations between HM and ourselves. The recently concluded treaties between Iraq and Transjordan and between Iraq and Turkey were not directed against anyone but HM and were meant to checkmate HM.
- (2)
- HM is desirous of removing these discords and seeing that peace and stability is maintained in this part of the Arab world and believes that it is in his as well as our interest that we take measures to stabilize the situation between HM and his neighbors. HM is desirous that the United States take up the matter with the British Government to reach an understanding to those ends by an agreement between the US and the British Governments and the Arab states and by persuading the Arab states to abide by such understanding as may be reached.
- (3)
- HM suggests that the US approach the British Government as soon as possible to have an explanation and settlement of the principal matters in which we have a common interest [. They?] are a cause of [Page 751] disturbance to the peace and security of the Near East and especially the so-called Greater Syria question as well as the agreements which arouse suspicion in the Middle East including the problems of Palestine and Egypt which are of importance to both of us.
- (4)
- The SAG desires to be informed of the progress of any talks which may take place between the US and British in this respect so as to be able to amplify any doubtful points and to indicate the direction of the way each might help to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East.
- When an understanding is reached, it is HM’s thought that it would be communicated to the Arab states for agreement.
In view of its importance a translation of the foregoing was made in Arabic and read and concurred in by the King.
It has occurred to me that so far as the subject of Greater Syria is concerned, we might propose to the British Government that in view of the common interest shared by the US and the British Governments in the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the Middle East that we might invite the attention of the Arab states to our view that the continued agitation for the realization of the Greater Syria project by unilateral action appeared to us to be contrary to Article V of the Arab League and our common obligations under the UN and that we were taking occasion to invite the attention of those states to this. I am assured that this method of approach would not be displeasing at least to SAG, nor in the latter’s opinion to the Governments of Syria, Lebanon and Egypt.
To a request for my comments I stressed that I felt sure my Government would give great care and attention to any suggestions of this or any other character on the part of HM, the purpose of which were the maintenance of peace and security in this area inasmuch as this was an objective shared by us. I hesitated to voice any opinion concerning the measures which my Government might find most suitable to bring about the attainment of the objectives desired by HM but I was satisfied my Government would give the most careful consideration to those means which might best serve that purpose.
HM in his conversations stressed the seriousness of the situation and that common interest makes it imperative that the US Government take the initiative and take the matter as seriously as it ought to be considered so as to find a settlement which is deemed practical with the British Government and to fit the decision later within the framework of the Arab League and the UN.
The recent correspondence between HM and Mr. Bevin was shown to me. I observed that the concluding paragraph of Mr. Bevin’s letter stated the British Government would be interested in learning from the SAG if the assurances given to Mr. Bevin re Greater Syria were not altogether reassuring. I asked if in fact the SAG was not reassured [Page 752] by the letter and in that case whether the British Government would be so informed. I was told that HM had not been entirely satisfied with the explanations given and that further inquiries would be made.
HM attaches the greatest importance to the subject of this telegram and accordingly it would be appreciated if the Department might keep me informed of any action taken with a view to meeting HM suggestions and desires in order that I may be in a position to acquaint HM with developments and to satisfy him that we are taking all those measures which we may consider appropriate to realize his objective of bringing about greater security in this area.
Sent Dept as 252; repeated Baghdad as 17, Cairo as 107, London as 14.