218. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rusk to President Johnson 1

SUBJECT

  • Your Meeting with the Amir of Kuwait, Shaikh Sabah al-Salim al-Sabah, 12 noon, Wednesday, December 11

Shaikh Sabah al-Salim al-Sabah

This is Shaikh Sabah’s first visit to the United States as Amir of Kuwait. When he was Prime Minister, he visited New York briefly in [Page 415] 1963 when Kuwait was admitted to the UN. You have not met the Amir, but his cousin, Foreign Minister Sabah al-Ahmad (who will be in the Kuwaiti party), called on you in June, 1967, during the special UNGA session on the Arab/Israel crisis.

Shaikh Sabah succeeded to the Amirate in 1965 on the death of his elder brother. Kuwait has a constitution and a parliament but almost all key positions are still held by members of the ruling Sabah family. At present, the Salim and Ahmad branches of the family govern in tacit alliance. The Amir is head of the Salim branch. The Foreign Minister’s elder brother, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Jabir, heads the Ahmad branch.

To Americans who know him, the Amir is something of a bantam—short, cocky, unctuous and protocol-conscious. This attitude seems in part to reflect a basic lack of confidence and, as a result, the Amir responds very warmly to flattery and full recognition of his position.

What Shaikh Sabah Wants

Shaikh Sabah has for years craved an official visit to this country. Now that he is Amir, he no doubt sees it as giving him, and his small nation, additional stature on the world stage.

The Amir was nevertheless ambivalent about coming now because of Arab concern at USG policy on issues growing out of the June war. We think he checked with several other Arab heads of state before accepting, rationalizing to them his desire to come as a way of exerting influence on both the outgoing and incoming US Administrations. He is disappointed that his desire to meet with President-elect Nixon has not been granted (Mr. Nixon has taken the position that it would be inappropriate for him to see any visiting heads of state or similar leaders during the transition period).

In addition to wanting to discuss Arab-Israel issues, Shaikh Sabah will probably inquire as to the USG attitude towards Persian Gulf problems in the light of the scheduled British withdrawal by the end of 1971 and heightened Soviet interest in the region. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iran have recently exchanged Heads of State visits and relations are cordial. There is nevertheless considerable historical and religious suspicion between the Arab Sunni Moslems on the Western side of the Gulf and the Persian Shi’a Moslems across the way. In fact, the Arabs steadfastly refer to the Persian Gulf as “the Arab Gulf”. We therefore generally use the simple term “the Gulf” in talks with Arab leaders.

Despite differences over Israel, Kuwait is interested in cultivating USG interest in Gulf affairs as a counterpoint to Soviet interest and as a means of furthering local stability and helping assure Kuwait’s continued independence. The Kuwaiti attitude was made particularly [Page 416] clear in January 1968 after the British withdrawal announcement. The Kuwait Government had earlier been dragging its feet on a routine US naval visit request but, immediately on hearing the announcement, asked how soon the visit could take place. Kuwait has since then been concerned at the Soviet naval visit to Iraq in May, 1968, the first Gulf visit by a Russian squadron since 1903.

Subsequent to the British announcement, the Kuwaitis have approached us several times regarding their desire to purchase modern US arms. We took the position that Kuwait should continue to look to the UK as its principal arms supplier but said that we would be prepared to discuss any legitimate requests which the British could not meet. The British have subsequently concluded some arms sales with Kuwait, but the Amir may conceivably raise this subject with you.

What We Want

1.
We have not previously had a high-level visit from Kuwait, though it became independent in 1961. This visit will thus be useful in marking the cordiality of USG/Kuwaiti relations which have existed (except for Arab-Israel issues) since the state’s independence.
2.
No Eastern Arab Head of State has paid an official visit here since the June war. The Amir’s trip is thus useful to us in stressing publicly that there are moderate Arab regimes with which we still enjoy close relations. We hope publicity about the visit will have a favorable impact throughout the Arab world, particularly at a time when Arabs accuse us of undue support for Israel.
3.
We are concerned regarding stability in the Gulf area after the British go. Kuwait’s financial strength and past mediatory role on Gulf problems make it a force for stability in the region which we are hoping to encourage. Additionally, we hope the USSR will not fail to note the visit as an indication that the USG will continue to have an interest in Gulf affairs after 1971.

Assistant Secretary Hart and Country Director Brewer will stand by during your meeting with Shaikh Sabah following the arrival ceremony.

Talking points are at Tab A.2 We also transmit (Tab B)3 a draft communique which is under discussion with the Government of Kuwait. We will replace it with the final version as soon as possible.

Dean Rusk
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 7 KUW. Confidential. Drafted by Brewer; cleared by William H. Hallman (NEA/IRN), Atherton, Hart, Officer in Charge of UN Political Affairs Betty-Jane Jones, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for ISA/NESA Harry H. Schwartz, and Heyward Isham (EA/VN). A typed notation reads: “Signed original to Amir of Kuwait briefing book 12/5/68.”
  2. The tabs are attached but not printed.
  3. For text of the joint communique issued on December 11, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1968-69, Book II, pp. 1182-1183.