Office of the Historian

269. Memorandum From Robert W. Komer of the National Security Council Staff to President Kennedy0

Washington, June 13, 1963.

We need your OK on sending air squadron to Saudi Arabia.

Faysal is panting for it, and Rusk urges in attached1 that we tell him now we’re sending it to arrive concurrently with the deployment of the first detachment of UN observers along the border (hopefully Sunday or Monday). Bunker agreement called for holding off until disengagement had actually begun, but State argues strongly we need to reassure Faysal soonest and that squadron will in fact deter UAR. We would hold the fighters themselves till sure observers were in place.

Second problem arises from Congressman Celler’s unfortunate revelation (NYT Monday)2 that Jews were now included in US elements in Saudi Arabia. Saudis felt compelled to issue a public denial, but their Foreign Minister assures us (Jidda 1075)3 that “if we don’t ask you any questions, you need not say anything to us.” US press will undoubtedly query, but we’d say accurately here there was no discrimination (but play in low key) and let Faysal control things from his end. I agree with State that if we went to Faysal and posed yet another hurdle he might go off the deep end.

We may have some flurry over this problem but our position is clear and defensible. DOD is nervous over a possible incident, but I’d suggest you OK State’s plan. If Faysal causes trouble, he’ll lose much more than we, so odds are against real trouble.

3d problem is leak on our restrictive rules of engagement, which has caused a scream of pain from Saudis (Jidda 1077).4 We propose allowing [Page 581] daily sweeps to Jizan area (40 mi. back) at first, but then restrict to weekly.5

R.W. Komer
  1. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Saudi Arabia, 6/1/63–6/14/63. Secret.↩
  2. Document 268.↩
  3. June 10.↩
  4. Dated June 13. (Department of State, Central Files, DEF 6–7 US)↩
  5. Not printed. (Ibid., DEF 6–3 US)↩

  6. Komer wrote the final paragraph by hand. At the bottom of the page, Komer wrote the following list: “1. Find out cols [?]—ship him out.

    “2. Tell mil.—no talk abt rules of engage.

    “3. Dictate what Hart and CO [?] is to know.

    “4. Pres doesn’t want US planes shooting.”

    On June 15, JCS telegram 1261, DTG 151510Z, amended the rules of engagement to provide that if hostile aircraft were encountered, U.S. aircraft were authorized to exercise an inherent right of self-defense if attacked. The telegram also directed that the text of the Mission and Rules of Engagement not be disclosed to or discussed with Saudi personnel. (Memorandum for the record on White House stationery, June 28; Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Saudi Arabia, 6/15/63–6/30/63)

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