501.BB Palestine(E)/9–349: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia
383. Dept informed1 [that] SYG of UN received tel Sep 26 from SAG notifying UN of its refusal receive ESM because dissatisfied with “trend of treating Pal problem”.
You shld call on FonOff immed or soonest pilgrimage terminated, and make fol points, using background contained Deptel 336 Sep 32 and Depcirtel Sep 9, 6 a. m.3 where relevant.
Dept disappointed SAG reaction and convinced latter based on misconstruction purposes ESM. You shld point out certain other Arab states were initially reluctant receive ESM, but when its objectives and non-polit character were clarified, this reluctance dissipated. With exception SAG, all Arab Govts to which SYG addressed communication (Egypt, Syria, Leb, Jordan, Iraq) have now expressed willingness receive ESM. SAG action difficult understand view King’s humanitarian interest in contributing alleviation refugee problem, as indicated by his request Aramco provide employment opportunities for Pal refugees. Moreover, SAG action appears to be reversal previously expressed interest in development and irrigation projects frequently discussed with Emb and Dept. You shld make clear cooperation with ESM implies no prior commitment accept its recommendations, although we hope sound techn basis on which they will be formulated will make them acceptable not only to NE states but to all govts in position extend fin or techn support in their implementation.
You shld express Dept’s hope Emb’s clarification purposes ESM will induce SAG reconsider at least to extent of receiving ESM informally and informing ESM of SAG’s techn and development needs. Foregoing has Amb Childs’ concurrence.
Rpt reply Beirut for Clapp.4
- In telegram 1192, September 26, 11:57 p. m., from New York, not printed.↩
- This was a repeat of No. 476, to Beirut, p. 1359.↩
- Not printed.↩
- This telegram was repeated to Beirut. Jidda replied, on October 4, stating that “SAG is profoundly disillusioned with results achieved to date by UN insofar as benefit to themselves is concerned.… Now the King has expressed his disapproval of FCC or any branch of it, as well as his personal regret that none of the advice he gave in past to visiting American officials was heeded; and he will likely continue to believe that ESM is essentially a US project, however much we may explain its UN character. Embassy therefore questions whether it would be either good taste or good tactics at this time to press SAG with a new request for entry of ESM and for cooperation with it.” (telegram 587, 501.BB Palestine (E)/10–449)↩