Office of the Historian

340. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia0

Washington, July 26, 1960, 8:17 p.m.

59. Dhahran for Schwinn only for communication only to Acting CHUSMTM. Embtels 51,1 and 56.2 Dept leaves to your discretion best means conveying to Faisal (or King) substance Deptel 44.3 Do not favor suggestion that source info be identified [2½ lines of source text not declassified] Dept has no present evidence UAR behind current plot.

Dept recognizes difficulty persuading [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] abandon proposed coup in favor of more constructive approach to solution of Saudi Arabia’s internal problems. Believe, however, that we have no alternative but to advise such constructive approach, whatever its acknowledged weaknesses. Recall Faisal himself some months ago invited Saudi press give responsible criticism and it is within context such constructive criticism that we feel Saudi dissidents might appropriately act. Suggestion re petitions intended be helpful proposal but may be dropped if you think it desirable do so.

Re Dhahran’s 52 rptd Jidda 434 in absence General McGehee, Acting CHUSMTM should be briefed immediately and kept fully informed at all times re USG thinking on subject.

[1 paragraph (10 lines of source text) not declassified]

Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 786A.00/7–2560. Top Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Dhahran. Drafted by Eilts, cleared in draft by Meyer and Knight of Defense, cleared in substance with CIA, and approved by Hart.↩
  2. See footnote 3, Document 339.↩
  3. [text not declassified] (Department of State, Central Files, 786A.00/7–2560)↩
  4. Document 339.↩
  5. [text not declassified] (Department of State, Central Files, 786A.56311/7–2660)↩