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

890F.20/12–1949: Telegram

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

secret

Jidda, December 19, 1949—10 a. m.

730. Shaikh Yusuf, Deputy Foreign Minister, called me Foreign Office yesterday following audience by him with King at Mecca. HM asked if assurances I had given (Deptel 451 December 2 and Embtel 702 December 5)¹ was final answer HM’s message (Embtel 691 November 23 and despatch 232 November 23)² or if further reply might be expected.

I said it was my assumption assurances given were intended to serve as reply, but I would raise question with Department if desired. Yusef Yassin asked if I would do so.

Yusef Yassin stated he had informed HM there were several questions pending with USG and some of them still under discussion, including question military aid and long term agreement DAF. Yusef Yassin recalled DAF agreement concluded for one year with understanding that during such period USG would initiate negotiations long term agreement. He pointed out six months had already elapsed and raised question when we contemplated beginning negotiations particularly in light reserved attitude Istanbul conference toward regional security arrangements ME.

I emphasized Istanbul conference view had no bearing on DAF negotiations as at Istanbul we were thinking of multilateral regional security arrangements and we did not have reference to such unilateral arrangements as DAF agreement. I added it was our understanding SAG desired military aid in some form to tie in with long term DAF agreement and that until we could determine to what extent former might be practical and how far we might go it was our thinking it would be premature to enter into long term negotiations. When in Washington I found thinking to be that after O’Keefe’s report had been studied and decision made we would then be in position to enter into long term negotiations beginning about March 1. Once general principles were agreed upon it was not expected on our part to encounter any difficulties in drafting long term agreement.

Yusef Yassin appeared to accept this explanation as reasonable and stated SAG would await replies to two questions he would like to raise with me:

1. Are assurances given to be considered as final reply to HM’s message;

2. Is USG prepared to enter into negotiations for general settlement of all outstanding questions which had been raised in recent months.

I stated I would transmit questions to Department and asked if in general settlement he had reference to questions (a) treaty friendship, commerce and navigation which we had proposed and (b) civil air agreement. He replied in affirmative.³

Sent Department 730, repeated London 113. Pouched Arab capitals and Dhahran.

Childs

1. Neither printed; but see editorial note, p. 1624.
2. Latter not printed; but see footnote 1 to telegram 672, November 18, p. 1623.
3. The Department indicated that the message (see editorial note, p. 1624) should be considered as the final word, and that the United States would have no objection to entering upon further negotiations through regular channels (telegram 475, December 30, to Jidda, 890F.20/12–1949; not printed).