890D.00/7–947: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Legation in Saudi Arabia
203. Dept has given careful consideration to subject Legtel 252 June 20 and 258 June 211 and has reached certain conclusions which are outlined for your info and judicious use in explaining our position to His Majesty.
We have already made clear to Brit our concern over disturbing effects of Abdullah’s Greater Syria agitation. Following these representations, Minister of State responded with House of Commons statement July 14 stating unequivocally that HMG did not favor Greater Syria movement, that it considered matter essentially and exclusively of concern to peoples and states of area, and that HMG attitude was one of strict neutrality. Although effect Brit neutrality policy has been encourage Abdullah advocate Greater Syria with resultant discordant effect on relations between Arab states, it must be borne in mind that problem is fundamentally Arab one and that success or failure Arab states maintain stability and promote progress must ultimately depend upon their own ability resolve their differences and rivalries. In our view, although some advantage would automatically accrue Brit through fruition Greater Syria scheme, owing close ties between Brit, Iraq and Transjordan, Brit doubtless realize that general stability in whole area and friendly Brit relations with all countries therein are prime considerations.
You may wish point out HM that we have no evidence present intent on part Abdullah use force achieve his aims, that Syrian Govt is very friendly to SAG and vigorously opposed to project, and that popular support for it is lacking. It is our considered opinion that obstacles in way realization Abdullah’s scheme are too great for it [Page 753] constitute material threat to Saudi Arabia in foreseeable future. We do not feel that we can press matter further with Brit at present time, but shall follow matter with close interest and attention.
With reference your suggestion US and Brit Govts invite attention Arab States our view Greater Syria agitation contrary Article V of Arab League Charter, Dept is of opinion (shared by Ambassador Tuck2) that Arab League might consider such action as constituting unwelcome intervention in Arab affairs.
Regarding Saudi suggestion re Anglo-Egyptian dispute, Dept believes that even if Brit-American approach should contain constructive suggestion or “compromise” solution, we would doubtless be accused meddling in Arab affairs. Ambassador Tuck concurs this view3 and notes that statement policy which he embodied in personal letter to Sidki Pasha4 last year at time Inchass meeting was subsequently referred to on floor Egyptian Parliament by ex-Cabinet Minister as “intervention” and resulted in much unfavorable publicity for us in Egyptian press.
For your info HM’s proposal general Anglo-American-Arab settlement Near Eastern problems strikes us as being too vague and impracticable character to be considered seriously as other than manifestation goodwill. In your reply to HM you may inform him we welcome suggestion mutual cooperation in working out problems common interest, and assure him that we are giving these problems our constant attention. We cannot imagine, however, that Arab world would welcome being asked to approve and carry out a series of solutions or policies relating to Near Eastern questions which had been worked out in advance by US and Brit.
In view delicacy matter and difficulty if not impossibility making answer wholly agreeable to HM on such fundamental issues, you may wish consider advisability deferring further action if you think Yassin’s letter July 2 quoted urtel 271 July 95 indicates sufficient satisfaction for present with response already given.6
Sent Jidda as [203], rptd London, Cairo and Baghdad.
- No. 258 not printed.↩
- S. Pinkney Tuck, Ambassador to Egypt.↩
- As recorded in a memorandum of June 30 from Ambassador Tuck to Gordon P. Merriam, Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (711.90/60–2147). The Ambassador was in Washington at the time for consultation.↩
- Letter of May 27, 1946, to the then Egyptian Prime Minister, not printed; but see footnote 12, Foreign Relations, 1946, vol. vii, p. 75.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Telegram 203 was received in its entirety by Jidda on August 4. According to telegram 333, August 16, from Jidda, Minister Childs embodied its essential elements in an aide-mémoire of August 9 to the Saudi Arabian Government, the text of which he transmitted to the Department in despatch 341, August 16 (890D.00/8–1647). He presented the aide-mémoire to Prince Faisal at Taif on August 15. The Prince expressed great gratification with the communication and said it would be presented at once to the King. (741.83/8–1647)↩