82. Memorandum From the Department of State Executive Secretary (Battle) to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)0
SUBJECT
- Status of Saudi Arabian Arms Purchase Request
When the President saw the Saudi Arabian Ambassador on Friday, July 7, the Ambassador asked about availabilities of various items of military equipment included in two recently submitted Saudi Arabian arms purchase requests. The President told the Ambassador that we would try to give him an answer before the Ambassador leaves on July 11.
Secretary Rusk had earlier told the Ambassador that the United States was prepared to sell to Saudi Arabia, in accordance with the 1957 Dhahran Airfield arrangements, those items on the Saudi Arabian arms purchase lists which were consistent with the jointly developed force goals plan for Saudi Arabia known as the “1380 Plan” and subject to availabilities. Following the President’s discussion with the Ambassador, the Department of State discussed the lists further with appropriate officers of the Department of Defense. A message was subsequently sent to the Chief of the United States Military Training Mission in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, requesting his determination on the compatibility of the items included in the Saudi Arabian lists with the Tables of Organization and Equipment of the “1380 Plan.” Such a determination is necessary in order to allow the Department of Defense to process the lists. A reply is now being awaited.
[Page 183]A preliminary examination of the lists by Departments of State and Defense officials suggests that most of the land forces equipment included thereon is compatible with the “1380 Plan.” The Plan is vague with respect to Air Force equipment, however, and there is some question whether the F–100’s and the B–57’s which the Saudi Arabians wish to purchase may be regarded as compatible. The views of the Chief of the United States Military Training Mission have also been sought on this matter.
The Department of Defense was unable to state which items on the lists are in fact available, and indicated that the lists would have to be sent to the respective military services which would in turn determine availabilities. The Department of Defense estimated that it may take from six weeks to six months to determine definitively which items on the very extensive Saudi Arabian arms purchase lists are available and to send the customary Letters of Offer to the Saudi Arabian Embassy. Deliveries will vary with the equipment, but it is estimated they will take a minimum of eight months and in some cases longer.
Assistant Secretary Talbot has today conveyed this information to the Saudi Arabian Ambassador.1