867N.01/1–749: Telegram
The Minister in Saudi Arabia ( Childs ) to the Secretary of State
21. Legtel 20, January 7.1 British Ambassador and I received together [by] King 9 a. m. Legation Arab secretary says reception two representatives together to discuss political problems unprecedented SAG–US relations.
King began by saying he was faced by extremely critical situation. He loved Arabs above all else and his greatest enmity was directed towards Jews. He had been severely criticized other Arab states not giving greater support Arab cause. He had failed to heed Syrian pleas additional help. He had only sent originally thousand troops Palestine and would have sent no more but when Jews crossed into Egypt with which country he was bound by closest ties and when Jewish planes flew over Saudi territory (Legtel 92) he had no alternative but to send additional thousand troops as he had done in past few days in order to defend his friends and take action to insure respect his own territory. He said otherwise he would have been without honor.
King spoke use being made Jews by Russians and disorders which were bound to ensue unless effective measures taken by his friends and by him. He recalled strong ties which united him with British and US. He observed British Government had recently reaffirmed its treaty obligations Egypt, Transjordan and Iraq. This left only Lebanon, [Page 626] Syria and Saudi Arabia as Arab states whose friendship had not been publicly acknowledged by either Britain or US. He had repeatedly approached US Government for some assurances re US attitude toward him but had not obtained anything. He could not be left in this fashion and he had therefore taken the step to call together with him both British and US representatives in order stress his appreciation of critical situation and to request them to bring his viewpoints before their governments.
King observed that although Great Britain had committed itself re three Arab countries it had remained silent re Saudi Arabia which had been of unreserved assistance during both world wars. So far as US was concerned Americans partners in Saudi Arabia and he could not understand our silence particularly when he had been so severly attacked by other Arab states by reason of his failure to give greater assistance in Palestine while every protection had been afforded American interests in Saudi Arabia.
HM made reference during audience to request Russian Ambassador Cairo last year (presumably 1947) for resumption Soviet-SAG diplomatic relations. He said he had declined on grounds Soviet had no interests this country.
King concluded “you know my thoughts and you are at liberty state what you may choose in your message to your government expressive my point of view. It is requested viewpoints of your two governments be made known to me. Either you must say you are my friends and will support me or you must say no and then I will know what other means I must take.”3
Sent Department 21, repeated London 4.
- Not printed; it conveyed the opinion expressed by King Ibn Sand to British Ambassador Trott that there was only one way to deal with the Palestine situation, namely for the “British and US Government[s] to propose economic sanctions against both Arabs and Jews unless they are prepared to put an end to fighting [in] Palestine.” (867N.00/1–749)↩
- Dated January 4, not printed.↩
- Saudi Arabian Deputy
Foreign Minister Yusuf Yassin called Minister Childs to the
Foreign Office on January 9 to convey a message “to be accepted
as statement from King.” Mr. Childs summarized the message as
follows:
“1. Palestine situation was very critical and Jewish planes were repeatedly trespassing over Saudi territory.…
“2. Arabs will never accept Jewish Government in Palestine or Middle East.
“3. Problem is not one between Arabs and Jews but has gone much farther than that and involves much larger question, namely, one between world and Communism.
“4. Is it possible, I was asked, for US and British Governments jointly to take position of force against the two parties immediately involved in Palestine; namely Arabs and Jews. Could they bring force to separate two parties, a separation to be enforced by power?” (telegram 23, January 9, 11 p. m., from Jidda, 867N.01/1–949)
The Department replied to telegram 23 on January 28. In part, it suggested that the “King could be helpful in telling other Arab states that time has come to negotiate settlement and recommending to them that they work sincerely to achieve this end, either through direct negotiation or through Commission.… US Govt has appreciated King’s past advice and counsels of moderation to other Arab States. It earnestly hopes that King will find it possible to exhibit same moderation in counseling Arab States in manner outlined … above.” (telegram 30, 867N.01/1–949)
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