251. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia 1
83. Following is based on uncleared memcon and is FYI-Noforn and subject to revision.
Saudi Ambassador Sowayel, acting under instructions, called urgently on Secretary August 18 and expressed appreciation our August 4 press statement reaffirming US support Saudi integrity.2 He referred to recent Saudi requests for US Navy and Air Force visits and noted Charge Seelye’s response that US destroyer now scheduled call Jidda on 17th and 25th, but that Air Force unit presented problem. Ambassador continued that another idea came up concerning possibility US aircraft visiting Saudi Arabia as part of combined US-Saudi training demonstration, that SAG would very much like such visit and hoped USG would implement it.
Secretary responded that we continued our support for Saudi Arabia, but that we found some problem with visit of US Air Force element, particularly in view Saudi involvement in border area. In any event would have to discuss idea of US training exercise with President before replying Sowayel. Expressed hope reported early Faisal-Nasser meeting would be fruitful. Noted Saudi progress in recent years of relative calm and said deterioration in US-UAR relations during this period to some extent attributable our support of Saudis.
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964-66, POLSAUD-US. Secret. Drafted by Moore, cleared by Davies, and approved by Hart. Repeated to Cairo, London, Dhahran, CHUSMTM Dhahran, and CINCSTRIKE/CINCMEAFSA.↩
- Telegram 22 to Taiz, August 4, reported the Department spokesman’s statement reiterating U.S. support for the maintenance of Saudi Arabia’s integrity. (Ibid., POL 27 YEMEN)↩