611.86A/10–154: Telegram
No. 1465
The Ambassador in Saudi Arabia
(Wadsworth) to
the Department of State
138. 1. King Saud invited me for private audience yesterday prior to my presenting General O’Hara who is on MAAG inspection tour. Highlights follow:
I asked after his health; he had just returned from ten-day post-pilgrimage visit to Medina. He replied he was physically fatigued but spirtually refreshed and happy over royal welcome.
He said he wished speak secretly with me on two subjects. First was his apprehension lest Jewish or British influences endeavor undermine Saudi-American friendly relations. Second was Communist leaflet distributed in Hasa few weeks ago (see Dhahran ConGen despatch 12, August 25).1 (I had earlier told him USG would be interested [garble] this subject.)
On first subject he said he wished only offer word of caution. It was obvious Israelis and their supporters in US were opposing SAG plans for strengthening its armed forces. They might even endeavor [Page 2456] influence MAAG officers. He would not elaborate; his own views on general subject had been forcefully expressed only recently.
To my reply that I had carefully reported those views to Department (mytel 125, September 20)2 and did not believe Jewish pressures could influence US against carrying through MAAG program or in selection MAAG officers, he commented he only wished caution USG that anything of this sort could best be stopped in initial stage.
Then as though by way of liaison to second subject, he added he had received information that during last 12 months 40,000 Jews had emigrated from Russia to Israel. He had feared just this would happen when Israel was established and that country became major channel for Communist infiltration Middle East.3
2. On second subject he said he had already spent 400,000 liras tracing origin of Communist leaflets and had sent another 200,000 to his representative in Beirut. There could be no doubt leaflets were printed there, for printing press had been found with copy of leaflet in it. Person who had done job, an Iraqi of Nedji origin, had also been located and would be arrested and turned over to SAG. Finally, investigation had established the delivery route of pamphlets was via Iraq, Bahrain and Dhahran; and he was hopeful it would soon uncover those persons guilty of distribution in Hasa and their associates.
He added he wished USG know not only all facts uncovered this connection but also his unswerving opposition communism and all its [garble]. (Note: If Department has or can get us from other American sources any information on this matter, I would welcome authorization communicate to King such of it as may be deemed proper together with some expression Department’s appreciation this message.)
3. He then spoke warmly of his satisfaction at settlement with Aramco (mytel 18, Department 23 from Dhahran)4 and said he wished tell me “personally and not as King” that $70,000,000 payment would be used to pay Saudi share of cost reconditioning Hedjaz Railway to [garble] all SAG foreign and domestic debts after full check by Egyptian firm chartered accountants, and to strengthen position and potentiality Saudi monetary agency.
[Page 2457]In this connection he welcomed Davies return to Jidda September 29 with Aramco financial and legal experts to complete details settlement and expressed hope occasion could be utilized to reach settlement Onassis matter as well.
In latter connection he voiced full confidence in new Minister Finance and said he would be pleased were he to discuss any financial matters of common interest. (Note: I propose to state advantage this invitation to present Minister Finance copy National Research Council’s report on “utilization of waste gases in Saudi Arabia”, Usfoto 80, August 27.5 Has Department other suggestions?)
He said too that Minister Finance would take up promptly matter of Saudi Arabia joining World Bank which I had raised last January. [Garble. policy decision had already been taken, and Pakistan [garble] president Shoaib would be invited visit Jidda for preliminary discussion. He would then be happy invite President Black make visit. He mentioned in passing his continuing interests construction Riyadh-Mecca railway.
In conclusion he spoke in appealingly intimate way of his hopes for new regime (mytel 83, August 31).6 It had not been easy to lay its foundations, but already much had been achieved. Patience was needed, roughshod methods would be self-defeating, rather would he “pull the thread from the pudding, slowly”.
4. To Generals O’Hara and Grover, who were then introduced, he stressed view that to strengthen Saudi armed forces was in effect to enhance American strength as well, because of Saudi Arabia’s special relations with United States. He wished us meet with Defense Minister, which we later did. Both King and Defense Minister were particularly interested in early completion work of joint planning committees (mytel 97, September 4).7
(Note: As early cost estimates are important to Ministry budgeting, General O’Hara will consider sending costing experts from US. I should appreciate Department supporting this move and urging prompt transmittal letter of offer for equipment SAG has already requested.)
- Not printed. (786A.00/8–2554)↩
- Not printed; it reported on a visit by U.S. Senator Ellender. (033.1100 EL/9–2054)↩
- Telegram 128 to Jidda, Oct. 6, informed the Embassy reports received by the Department of State indicated Jewish immigration to Israel from Russia was virtually nonexistent, and the Department was unaware of any Soviet decision to permit Jewish emigration. (611.86A/10–154)↩
- This reference is unclear; telegram 18 from Dhahran, Sept. 23, concerns Saudi military supplies, with no mention of Aramco. (786A.5 MSP/9–2354)↩
- Not found in Department of State files.↩
- Not printed; it reported that Crown Prince Faisal’s appointment as Prime Minister had been followed shortly by the resignation of Shaikh Abdullah Sulaiman as Minister of Finance.↩
- Not printed; it reported on a meeting General Grover and the Ambassador had with the “High Commission,” composed of Royal Councillors Khalid Gargoni and Jamal Husseini and Minister of Defense Prince Mishaal, that had been appointed by the King to establish and supervise an armed forces joint planning commission to plan for a stronger Saudi Arabian Army and Air Force. (786A.5/9–454)↩