Editorial Note
Ambassador Childs presented a statement of three paragraphs to Yusuf Yassin on December 5, for transmittal to King Ibn Saud. The editors have been unable to find a document in Department of State files which gives the entire statement. The statement, as given below, is a composite of: telegram 272, November 29, from Istanbul (120.3 Conferences/11–2949); telegram 451, December 2, to Jidda (120.3 Conferences/11–2949); and telegram 702, December 5, from Jidda (890F.20/12–549). The composite follows:
- “(1) We are pleased with the O’Keefe report: It will receive most careful study and attention by both the Departments of State and Defense with a view to ascertaining how we may help Saudi Arabia to implement it, as evidence of our concern for Saudi Arabia and our desire to insure its territorial integrity and political independence.
- (2) Problems of Saudi Arabia extensively discussed at Istanbul conference. It was agreed our Ambassadors in neighboring states will work to prevent any situation which might arise which would threaten Saudi Arabian integrity, and would report immediately to Washington any such situation which might arise. They did not at present find any situation existing which would cause Saudi Arabia concern in immediate or foreseeable future. They were all agreed it should be continuing aim US to develop particularly close relations with Saudi Arabia.
- (3) With respect to His Majesty’s concern re ‘encirclement’ of Saudi Arabia, we have informed British Government one of subjects discussed at Istanbul was question our special relations with Saudi Arabia. It was brought out that Saudi Arabian Government over a considerable period of time, had expressed concern to US Government over possibility of aggression against it by one or more of its neighbors. Brit Govt has informed USG it gave an assurance to SAG in Aug to effect it wld use its influence to prevent use of force by one ME country against another. USG has been further informed Brit Govt policy remains exactly same as at that time. On its part, USG desires to give assurance that it will continue to make clear to Arab states concerned that it wld be contrary to policy of USG and to stability of area, as well as inconsistent with principles and purposes of UN, for any state to take aggressive measures against another.”
Yusuf Yassin conveyed the following message orally to Ambassador Childs from King Ibn Saud in reply to the above statement: “We are very thankful to you and to United States Government for assurances given us. We are ready to await action by United States Government on O’Keefe’s report” (telegram 707, December 6, from Jidda, 890F.20/12–649; not printed).