345. Memorandum From the Director of Intelligence and Research (Cumming) to Secretary of State Herter0
SUBJECT
- Intelligence Note: Possible Implications of the Resignation of Prime Minister Prince Faysal in Saudi Arabia
On December 21 King Saud accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Prince Faysal and Faysal’s cabinet and assumed the duties of Prime [Page 770] Minister himself. He also appointed a new ten-member cabinet composed of four royal princes and six commoners. The latter are all experienced in the functioning of their ministries. Although the timing of the King’s move came with little or no warning, it was not unexpected since the King had resented the delegation of authority to Prince Faysal which had been forced upon him more than two years ago and had been waiting for an opportunity to regain full royal powers.
The King’s new cabinet contains men of some competence and relatively liberal views. The most noteworthy appointments seem to be those of Princes Talal (Finance) and ’Abd al-Muhsin (Interior), both brothers of the King; Prince Muhammad (Defense), probably the King’s ablest son; and Abdallah Turayqi (Oil and Mineral Resources), the country’s radical expert on oil matters. Talal and ’Abd al-Muhsin are known as ‘liberal princes” favoring reforms. Turayqi has been openly critical of the dynasty and has an appeal to the Arab nationalist element in Saudi Arabia.
The reasons for Faysal’s sudden fall are not yet clear. It may have been precipitated by a dispute over the new 1961 budget and Faysal, whose restrictions on spending have been resented by the royal family, may have lost the support of those princes which so far had barred the King from moving against him. The assumption of the post of Prime Minister by the King himself shows this intention to return to an active role. However, the composition of the cabinet seems to indicate that the King felt it advisable to appoint to cabinet posts personalities representative of reformist elements both inside and outside the royal family. Should the King attempt to re-establish full personal rule, it is likely that differences between him and his ministers will become apparent relatively soon.
Faysal’s removal from the office of Prime Minister (he remains Crown Prince) clouds the outlook for political stability in the country. The King has a certain shrewdness in dealing with internal problems of a traditional nature, but he is ignorant of sound fiscal management, has little understanding of and no sympathy for the forces of modern reformist Arab nationalism, and is prone to involve himself in inter-Arab conflicts.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 786A.00/12–2260. Herter’s initials appear on the memorandum.↩