Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 1

784A.5 MSP/3–2554: Telegram

No. 783
The Ambassador in Saudi Arabia (Wadsworth) to the Department of State¹

confidential

Jidda, March 25, 1954—2 p.m.

411. Regarding Amman Embtel 365, March 22 to Department repeated information Jidda 20.² During call on head Saudi Foreign Office month ago on other matters, he said I should know “our friends in Riyadh” are disturbed at reports from Washington of large grant economic aid to Israel, apparently $60 million this year and probably $80 million next year. I gathered King himself had said this was inconsistent with declared new US policy of impartiality between Arabs and Jews. Despatch follows.³

Wadsworth

1. Repeated to Amman.

2. Telegram 365 from Amman, Mar. 22 (repeated for information to the Arab capitals and Tel Aviv) reads as follows:

   “Foreign Office today stated understanding US proposes increase economic aid to Israel next fiscal year and points out such action cannot be calculated to increase understanding or friendship for US. I believe this local action part general Arab approach.” (784A.5 MSP/3–2254)

3. Not printed.