State–JCS Meetings: Lot 61 D 417
State Department Draft Minutes of Discussions at the State–Joint Chiefs of Staff Meeting, May 2, 19511
Present
| General Bradley | Admiral Lalor |
| General Collins | Colonel Carnes |
| General Vandenberg | Mr. Matthews |
| Admiral Sherman | Mr. Nitze |
| General Bolte | Mr. Perkins |
| General White | Mr. Ferguson |
| Admiral3 | [Mr. McGhee] |
| Admiral Wooldridge | Mr. Tufts |
| General3 | Mr. Gleason |
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Israel
General Vandenberg: I would like to mention the request by Israel for $150,000,000. From the military point of view I am firmly opposed to any action on behalf of Israel which would jeopardize our position in Saudi Arabia, particularly of course our use of the Dhahran air base. Our prestige in Saudi Arabia was once high and it is now at an all-time low. It will go completely out of sight if we take this action to aid Israel. We have got to have good relations with Saudi Arabia. The Israeli program scares me.
Mr. McGhee: As you know, the Israeli request was made to us and was coordinated with a campaign in the Senate and House by which the Israelis obtained a lot of signatures by the Senators and Congressmen. We have made no response to the Israeli request except to indicate that we are developing a balanced program for the Middle East. We have told them that we would make a single request for the Middle [Page 656] Eastern area and that that request will be balanced from an area standpoint. The purpose of our program will be to ease tensions in the area. I have just returned, as you know, from a trip through the area. I am convinced that the Israeli program would be disastrous to our relations with the Arab States. We must provide assistance to the Arab States comparable to that which we provide Israel. I would take issue with you, however, General Vandenberg, on the state of our relations with Saudi Arabia. I think that they are now at the highest point at which they have been since the Palestine nadir.
Admiral Sherman : What will happen to our relations with Saudi Arabia if Iraq nationalizes its petroleum industry and the Iraqis in effect take over?
Mr. McGhee: There is no indication that that will happen. I think Iraq could and would make arrangements with the same companies which now hold concession rights.
General Vandenberg: Our treaty with Saudi Arabia depends on what we do in the area and our good behavior. The treaty will run for only a short time. This trouble in Iran, this Israeli business and all the other things going on in that part of the world are bound to have an effect on Saudi Arabia, but as long as you people in State agree about the dangers in this program, I feel reassured.
Mr. McGhee: I feel sure that the Israeli program would not pass the Congress without Administration support.
Mr. Nitze: However, 36 Senators have signed the petition.
Mr. McGhee: Some of them signed it on a misunderstanding.
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