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

304. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia¹

Washington, October 24, 1967, 2337Z.

59213. Subject: US Military Supply Policy for Saudi Arabia. Ref: State 58793.² Re para 5 reftel, following is more detailed description of items which will be released for Saudi Arabia:

1. Saudi Mobility Program. Vehicles, construction material and other items in connection with SAMP will be released with exception armored personnel carriers, which will be held for time being.

2. Weapons Repair and Maintenance Program. Earlier authorization permitted completion of negotiations for and signing of RAMP Agreement. Implementation all aspects of program may now proceed.

3. Spare parts from commercial and military sources for F-86 and C-130 aircraft will now be released.

4. Release of TACAN (navigational) radar and related equipment is approved to UK for installation in Lightning aircraft.

5. Miscellaneous items from commercial and military sources, including: (a) 10,150 Colt revolvers and ammunition for Saudi police; (b) six cargo trailers; (c) 17 generator sets; (d) 40,000 rounds .50 caliber ammunition; (e) 120 radio sets of various models; (f) seven power supply units; and (g) miscellaneous repair parts. No heavy weapons or heavy weapon ammunition are being released at this time.³

For London. You may inform FonOff of US action on TACAN radar.

Katzenbach

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, DEF 19-8 US-SAUD. Secret; Limdis. Drafted by Sterner, cleared by Quinn and Sober, and approved by Brewer. Also sent to London.
2. Dated October 24. (Ibid., DEF 19-8 US-NEAR E)
3. Telegram 2081 from Jidda, December 10, stated that although the partial lifting of the arms moratorium for Saudi Arabia had temporarily alleviated pressures on the United States, its initially helpful effect was beginning to wear off as the Saudis realized that those items on which they placed the greatest priority were still banned for them—specifically, long-sought Sidewinders; additional F-86 and T-33 aircraft; and 106 mm recoilless rifles. It noted that Saudi requests for these items antedated the June hostilities. Because these cases were looming increasingly large in U.S. relations with the Saudis, the Country Team urged that all possible efforts be made to break the aforementioned items loose from the moratorium list. (Ibid., DEF 19-8 US-SAUD)