Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXI, Near East Region; Arabian Peninsula

279. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Posts¹

Washington, June 27, 1966, 5:07 p.m.

2550. 1. Following FYI represents Dept preliminary assessment Faisal visit:

a. Visit successful and US aims in inviting Faisal generally accomplished:

(1) Faisal and President established good personal rapport which will be asset in our future relations. Faisal’s public statements revealed extraordinary impact President made on him (e.g. at press luncheon June 22 King said hours he had spent with President were among most precious of his life).

(2) We apparently successful in focusing Faisal’s attention on importance vigorous pursuit his economic and social development programs. Subject was dealt with extensively in meetings with President. King devoted bulk his remarks at press luncheon to development efforts.

(3) USG welcomed King warmly and was successful in reassuring him of our continued friendship and concern for safety his country. In effort avoid contributing to further polarization of Near East into Soviet and Western-supported blocs, we did not give any new security assurances. Cairo press reaction has been relatively moderate. Close reading of communique and US officials’ public statements should make clear US does not seek chosen instrument in area.

b. Visit marred somewhat by events stemming from Faisal’s extemporaneous press luncheon remarks June 22 that “Jews of the world aid Israel … In our situation we consider those who aid our enemy as our enemy.” (Press did not find so quotable Faisal’s further clarification that he opposed not to Jews but to Zionists.) Remarks were made in response several baited questions on Israel, the Jews and Arab boycott. While unfortunate, statement reflects Arab view and King could not retract or apologize without severe damage to his position in Near East. King not particularly concerned re cancellation Lindsay dinner and Gov Rockefeller’s call² and is understood be planning remain New York as scheduled until June 30 departure. He has reportedly received hundreds telegrams from Americans apologizing for Mayor’s and Governor’s actions. End FYI.

2. Addresses may draw on following as appropriate in answering host govt, press or other queries re visit:

a. As reflected in final communique, visit afforded opportunity for King and President to become personally acquainted, discuss broad range of world issues and strengthen long-standing cordial relations between two countries.

b. Both President and King were much interested in discussing internal development efforts. We greatly encouraged by progress Saudi Arabia making and King’s determination energetically pursue his development program.

c. Question of security guarantees exaggerated by press. USG for many years has had strong interest in security and territorial integrity Saudi Arabia, as expressed by President Kennedy in his Oct 25, 1962 letter to Faisal.³ (If questioned whether timing of visit does not demonstrate that US taking sides in inter-Arab disputes, you should make clear that visit planned months ago when atmosphere in Near East quite different from present; timing of visit unrelated to area developments.)

d. Re Faisal remarks on Jews and US public reaction, Dept spokesmen stating it not appropriate comment on statements made by King while he guest of USG. Our differences with Arabs on Israel well known to all sides. It not necessary have identity of views on all issues in order entertain friendly relations. Mayor’s dinner and Governor’s call were scheduled on their initiatives; decisions to cancel were made by them. No other events on King’s New York schedule have been cancelled.

Ball

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964-66, POL 7 SAUD. Confidential. Drafted by Korn and Moore; cleared by Bruce Buttles (NEA/P), Symmes, James B. Freeman (P), Thomas J. Hirchfield (EUR/GER), Country Director for Italy, Austria, and Switzerland Wells Stabler, Robert E. Barbour (EUR/WE), Country Director for Northern African Affairs John F. Root, Judd, Country Director for Turkey John M. Howison, and Officer in Charge of Political Affairs in EUR’s Office of Atlantic Political and Military Affairs Edward G. Boehm; and approved by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs William J. Handley. Sent to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Cairo, Taiz, Aden, Kuwait, Baghdad, Tel Aviv, Khartoum, Tripoli, Tunis, Algiers, Rabat, Ankara, Jidda, Dhahran, Tehran, Paris (also for USRO), Rome, London, Bonn, CINCSTRIKE, USUN, and Mogadiscio.
2. In response to the furor over the King’s remarks on Jews and Israel during his June 22 press conference in Washington, New York Mayor John Lindsay announced on June 23 that the dinner scheduled in Faisal’s honor that evening had been canceled. Later that day New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller canceled his scheduled call on the King.
3. For text of President Kennedy’s letter to Crown Prince Faisal, see Foreign Relations, 1961–1963, vol. XVIII, Document 88.