890F.7962/4–649: Telegram
The Ambassador in Saudi Arabia (Childs) to the Secretary of State
254. FonOff yesterday read me letter His Majesty to President being mailed to Shaikh Asad of which following summary.1 Intention cooperate with US in cementing US–SAG relations. Original DAB agreement made wartime when SAG allied US. Conditions now changed and facilities granted then cannot be granted now same form because trouble and gossip which would arise SA and neighboring countries. As evidence His Majesty’s intention cooperate USG proposal made appointment O’Keefe as SAG official. Duration new agreement only one year which is short time. This because situation ME has not permitted USG discuss. As these reasons now ended, situation should be studied on basis international developments not only for defense DAF but also other matters in connection our relations. Cannot express our views until we know reaction our suggestions. If USG feels time has come review whole subject delegates can be appointed to meet and study problem and draft text agreement. Hopes President will give subject deepest and most careful consideration. End summary.
When Fuad mentioned message to me again Riyadh March 30,2 I suggested in view communication made King that date under Department’s instruction 93, March 23,3 Dhahran, letter of which contents not then disclosed but known to be based on earlier discussions be modified taking into account latest developments. He stated he thought message should go forward as written.
Reply President will presumably take account new developments including my communication King March 30 and Embassy note April 3 based on Deptels 132, 133.4
Sent Department 254, repeated Dhahran 70.
- A translation of the letter, dated March 31 (2 Jumada II 1368), is in the Department of State files (890F.7962/3–3149); not printed.↩
- Telegram 245, April 2, from Jidda (890F.7962/4–249); not printed.↩
- Not printed; but see footnote 1, p. 1584.↩
- Latter not printed; but see footnote 2 to telegram 168 from Jidda, p. 1583.↩