890F.7962/12–1848: Telegram
The Minister in Saudi Arabia (Childs) to the Secretary of State
647. Legtel 639, December 13.1 Conference yesterday lasting more than two hours with Prince Mansour,2 Shaikh Yusuf, Colonel O’Keefe and me. After discussion current problems air base, long discussion ensued re renewal agreement from which following emerged:
- (1)
- SAG has no intention requesting USAF evacuate base but in order to justify extension agreement its own people and Arab states some justification must be found.
- (2)
- SAG recognizes existing general international situation makes presence USAF Dhahran in interest both US Government and SAG.
- (3)
- Owing existing situation Middle East (Palestine not mentioned but reference obvious) SAG cannot conclude at this time long term agreement. (In course discussions I proposed we examine possibility fifty, forty, thirty, and ten years but Yusuf stated renewal on long term basis not possible at this time.)
- (4)
- SAG wants formal request in writing for renewal.
- (5)
- Term mentioned six months to year. It was obvious to us further extensions might be expected making agreement virtually of indefinite duration.
- (6)
- I mentioned negotiations new agreement might drag beyond January 15 and inquired if we could not be assured 90 days notice. Yusuf reassuring reply was “Ask for it”, indicating we need have no concern that score.
Yusuf emphasized SAG not looking for any financial compensation for lease and for first time indicated possible willingness to consider problem separately and apart from larger defense needs SAG. His words were “You have made good case for separation. I do not know at this time whether I will tie problems together”.
See following telegrams.
Sent Department 647, repeated London 183, Dhahran 311.