Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

890D.00/2–349: Telegram

The Minister in Saudi Arabia (Childs) to the Secretary of State

top secret

Jidda, February 3, 1949—10 a. m.

88. Legtel 48, January 19.¹ Deputy Foreign Minister referred our discussion re Greater Syria² and said he had since discussed this subject with His Majesty.

SAG has received information King Abdullah and Regent Iraq are taking new measures realize Greater Syria, First step would be annexation Arab part Palestine to Transjordan and bringing about revolution or instability Syria and later taking active measures against SA. This is latest information received from His Majesty on subject.³

His Majesty would like to know if USG has such information or more detailed information than above. His Majesty would like to know what USG advises SAG to do in matter. Has USG any objections in stating its views frankly this question: will arms embargo be in effect long time as result which SA may be stopped from equipping itself properly with arms. His Majesty requests foregoing not be discussed with third party.

Childs

1. Not printed; it contained Yusuf Yassin’s views regarding the attitude of King Abdullah of Trans Jordan towards achieving a Greater Syria by first incorporating Palestine into Transjordan. According to Yusuf, the incorporation of Palestine into Transjordan was a decision for the Arab League with which the Saudi Arabian Government would abide (890D.00/1–1949).
2. The problem of a “Greater Syria” refers to Saudi Arabian fears that the Hashemite rulers of Transjordan and Iraq (particularly the former) were planning to establish a Greater Syria to include the two states as well as Syria, part of Palestine, and possibly Lebanon.

   The Hashemite family of Hussein, Sherifs of Mecca and Medina and rulers of the Hejaz, had been ousted in the middle 1920’s by King Ibn Saud, who had annexed the Hejaz to his domain. The Kings of Transjordan and Iraq were descendants of Hussein and Ibn Saud feared an increase in their power would result in their attempts to regain the Hejaz.

   For documentation on the interest of the United States in the problem, see Foreign Relations, 1947, vol. v, pp. 738 ff.

3. King Ibn Saud amplified on his concern regarding the “Greater Syria” problem in a letter to Yusuf Yassin which the latter was instructed to discuss with Minister Childs (telegram 100, February 9, from Jidda, 890b.00/2–949; not printed).