780.5/2–1751: Telegram
The Consul General at Istanbul (Lewis) to the Department of State
287. From McGhee1 for Berry NEA. Timely arrival Department’s 386 February 162 permitted conference consider latest draft with following results.
1. Underline general comments: Conference concurs paragraphs A, B and C part one reference Deptel. Necessity rationalize respective roles US–UK in NE seen most important. Re paragraph D agree states must be strengthened individually but action taken in each will have repercussions other states and consequently efforts must be coordinated. Only Saudi Arabia entitled preferred US treatment.
[Page 77]2. Re paragraph E we agree increased dollar program Arab States and Israel desirable but early shipment more important consideration. Conference unanimous arms aid must be extended on same term to Israel and all Arab States including Saudi Arabia to prevent damaging charges favoritism et cetera. DAF negotiation has shown limited appeal cash reimbursable aid and SAG appears likely hold out for real quid for very important Dhahran quo. Consequently conference believes Saudi program should be converted grant basis and arms other Arab States and Israel likewise grant. Cash reimbursable facilities would be useful supplement only.
3. Conference felt deletion paragraph 10 conclusions re US making clear its intention jeopardizes program since anxiety NE peoples for reassurance has been reiterated time and again at conference. Conference submits below redraft this paragraph with strong recommendation that it be incorporated NSC document.
4. Underline recommended text changes.
Paragraph 6 delete “US has recently decided make available dollars”. Substitute: “US joint chiefs have submitted program involving”.
5. Delete paragraph 13. Substitute “the appropriate authorities of the US should develop the necessary arms supply programs for Arab States and Israel and should seek enactment of legislation providing grant military assistance for Arab States (including Saudi Arabia) and Israel during fiscal year 1952 in order that under the legislation immediate military assistance to ground forces of Arab States and Israel may be provided on grant basis”.
6. Delete paragraph 14. Substitute “program of military assistance assumes and relies upon parallel and coordinated programs of technical and economic assistance of such scope and acceleration as will convince peoples of Arab States and Israel that they will benefit as individuals through survival of their states as result of victory of the west.”
7. Add following as new final paragraph.
“As an integral part of the foregoing program, the US should make it clear in manner best calculated to produce maximum effect upon peoples of area, some of whom do not feel represented by their governments that because of vital US security interests the US, consistent with its UN obligations and its other commitments, is prepared in coordination with the UK to assist Arab States and Israeli strengthening their capabilities to defend areas as whole against aggression”.
8. All mission chiefs recommend strongly foregoing program as essential meet deteriorating situation. Mission chiefs believe Arab-Israel differences no bar program if conducted on balanced basis but without associating two parties.
[Page 78]9. Admiral Carney concurs generally and is sending military comments to Defense.
10. Above reply reference Deptel and only part recommendations conference will formulate.
- McGhee was at Istanbul for the Conference of Middle Eastern Chiefs of Mission, February 14–21; for documentation, see pp. 49 ff.↩
- Not found in Department of State files; presumably it transmitted a further draft of the proposed NSC paper on U.S. policy toward the Arab states and Israel. However, it will be noted that McGhee was herein discussing various points which had been raised in the original undated draft outline submitted to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on February 6, printed p. 24.↩