Office of the Historian

343. Despatch From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State0

No. 157
Jidda, November 3, 1960.

REF

  • See attached list

SUBJECT

  • King Saud’s Continuing Effort To Reassume Powers Delegated to Prince Faisal

Summary

Following his failure to reassert primary leadership in May 1959, King Saud began assiduously to mend his fences both at home and abroad. [1 paragraph (11 lines of source text) not declassified] Continuing clashes seem inevitable [3 lines of source text not declassified]. Prince Faisal’s health is a key factor. So long as he is able to carry on, Saud lacks a publicly plausible reason for replacing him, [2½ lines of source text not declassified].

[Here follow five and one-half pages and a list of 36 reference despatches, airgrams, and telegrams.]

Richard H. Hawkins, Jr.
Chargé d’Affaires a.i.
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 786A.11/11–360. Secret. Drafted by Russell.↩