Office of the Historian

87. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Jones) to Acting Secretary of State Dillon0

Washington, July 6, 1960.

SUBJECT

  • Revised NSC Paper on the Near East (6011)1

Discussion:

The policy paper on the Near East has been rewritten primarily to bring it up to date. No significant policy changes are recommended although a few changes in policy emphasis have been included. There are no “splits” with other agencies.

The introduction has been rewritten to describe general problems with which we have to deal in the area and to lessen the previous paper’s stress on the threat of radical pan-Arab nationalism. The statement of policy objectives remains essentially unchanged. The first two paragraphs of guidance play down, as we believed changed conditions now justify, an earlier preoccupation with coming to terms with Arab nationalism.

The previous paper, drafted in November 1958,2 was felt to be unsatisfactory in that it indicated a use of force only when there might be a serious threat to availability of Middle East oil to Western Europe on reasonable terms. It was felt that any use of force envisaged should be in connection with our overall interests in preventing Soviet domination of the area. Accordingly, Section 33 prescribes use of force should it appear that “peaceful counter-measures would no longer suffice to prevent Soviet dominance in the area.” Section 37 retains use of force with regard to oil, suggesting it be used as a last resort, in cooperation with the United Kingdom, to insure that, “Near Eastern oil is sufficient on reasonable terms, together with available oil from other sources including North Africa, to meet Western Europe’s vital petroleum requirements.” (Maintenance of “a capability to use force” is mentioned in 25a and paragraph 43 allows for “appropriate military action” by the United States to end possible Israeli-Arab hostilities.)

The last sentence of paragraph 51 d, in language suggested by the Defense Department, proposes we should seek a new agreement with [Page 260] the Saudi Arabian Government for the Dhahran Airfield. Paragraph 53e suggests how we should be prepared for any turn for the worse, not foreseen as an immediate possibility, in the situation in Iraq.

In accordance with the shift of responsibility for Sudan affairs from NEA to AF, portions on the Sudan have been eliminated in this rewriting and policy on the Sudan will be set out in another policy paper.

The Financial Appendix (A) has been brought up to date as have the accompanying comments by Defense and ICA. In general the projections of expenditure are based on existing patterns and commitments. Appendix B containing official public statements on United States policy has been updated by eliminating certain statements relative to CENTO of which no Near Eastern country is now a member.

Recommendation:

That you approve at the NSC meeting the revised policy paper on the Near East (NSC 6011, June 17, 1960).

  1. Source: Department of State, S/S–NSC Files: Lot 63 D 351, NSC 6011. Secret. Drafted by Thacher and cleared by Meyer.↩
  2. Document 89.↩
  3. Document 51.↩