329. Editorial Note
At the 406th Meeting of the National Security Council, May 13, Acting Director of Central Intelligence General Cabell reported on the Saud–Faisal differences in his intelligence briefing, “Significant World Developments Affecting U.S. Security.” Cabell’s report reads as follows:
“Turning to Saudi Arabia, General Cabell noted that the longstanding differences between King Saud and Crown Prince Faisal were coming to a head. The reform program espoused by the Crown Prince had been obstructed by the King and the Crown Prince was reported to be ready to resign. The Crown Prince is not in good health and is unlikely to challenge the King to an all-out struggle. The current crisis appears to be an outgrowth of Faisal’s refusal to accept the King’s personal debts as governmental obligations. The attitude of the Saudi Arabian princes toward the struggle between the Crown Prince and the King is not clear. [3 lines of source text not declassified].” (Memorandum of discussion by Boggs, May 5; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)
Other extracts of this meeting are printed as Documents 65 and 184.