Office of the Historian

252. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State1

Jidda, December 15, 1956—10 p.m.

336. My telegrams 3292 and 330.3 On reading King Saud’s [Page 407] message to President Eisenhower December 13, I paused at end passage entitled “the Palestine problem” to ask King if he had any special technique in mind when requesting postponement UNGA discussion pending consultation with USG.

King did not answer but later said: “I am awaiting answer from USG which you have said will come soon. What I meant by ‘consultation’ was that I want to discuss with President Eisenhower the problems mentioned in my message, the several situations troubling the Mid-East, review our problems, exchange views on US-Arab interests and matters of US-Saudi concern.”

I asked if that included question of arms (my telegram 3354). King answered, “question of arms could be answered now and other matters be settled when time comes”. He added, “Many things cannot be put in messages. I am ready to meet President Eisenhower and do everything I can within the interests of the Arabs. I would want one month notice to make necessary arrangements”.

I sensed urgency in his words. He had already thought of flying to Italy and sailing thence by American Export Line Constitution or Independence. I answered, “I have not myself spoken of this visit because I have expected answer to come to Your Majesty from highest level. I welcome opportunity to telegraph sense of this conversation to my government”.

Wadsworth
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/12–1556. Secret; Priority. A notation of December 19 by Goodpaster on a White House copy of the telegram indicates that the President was informed of its contents. (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Dulles-Herter Series)↩
  2. Telegram 329, December 15, conveyed the highlights of a meeting between General Tunner, Wadsworth, and Saud at the King’s desert hunting camp. During the meeting the King handed the Ambassador a signed reply to the President’s November 16 letter, emphasized his “urgent desire” to receive arms under the 5-year plan, and asked Wadsworth to convey the King’s “earnest hope” that arrangements could be made for visiting the President. (Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/12–1556)↩
  3. Telegram 330, December 15, transmitted the text of Saud’s December 13 letter to the President. The King’s message focused on four major areas: the Suez crisis, the Palestine problem, the situation in Syria, and the Baghdad Pact. (Ibid., 786A.11/ 12–1556) The Arabic original and an English translation of the letter were transmitted in despatch 114, December 17. (Ibid., 611.86A/12–1756)↩
  4. Telegram 335, December 15, conveyed additional highlights of Wadsworth’s December 13 audience with the King. According to the Ambassador, Saud remarked that the “most important subject now is arms. I am ashamed of how my army compares with those of other Arab and Moslem countries. All are equipped by United States, Britain or Russia. Saudi Arabia is only country to adhere only to United States. Are your delaying tactics proper way to repay our friendship?” A notation on a White House copy of the telegram indicates that the President had seen it. (Ibid., 786A.56/ 12–1556)↩