Saudi Arabia
138. Message From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Scowcroft informed Kissinger that Prince Fahd had declined an invitation to meet with President Ford in response to Schlesinger’s remarks about possible U.S. responses to a new oil embargo.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 208, Geopolitical File, Saudi Arabia, March 26–June 1, 1975. Secret; Nodis; Black Patch. Telegrams 3586 from Jidda, May 20; 3588 from Jidda, May 20; and 3661 from Amman, May 20, are in the National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850106–2359, D750176–1092, and P860035–0128, respectively. No telegram conforming to the draft Flash message was found. For Schlesinger’s comments, see Document 136.
139. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State
Summary: Robinson reported that he and Akins met with King Khalid and Prince Fahd regarding Schlesinger’s comments on the possible use of military force in the event of another oil embargo and provided options for responding to Saudi concerns.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for the Middle East and Africa, Box 29, Saudi Arabia—State Department Telegrams, To SecState—Nodis (6). Secret; Niact Immediate; Nodis. Khalid and Fahd remonstrated to Akins and Robinson during May 21 meetings. (Telegram 3632 from Jidda, May 22; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750179–0947) Telegram 3633 from Jidda, May 22, is ibid., D750179–0887. For Schlesinger’s remarks, see Document 136.
140. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Officials of the Department of State met with Northrop’s legal counsels to discuss the developing problem of Triad’s commission fee, under investigation by the SEC and the Senate’s Church Subcommitee on Multinational Corporations.
Source: National Archives, RG 84, Jidda Embassy Files: Lot 79F80, DEF 12–5.13, Northrop. Confidential; Nodis. Drafted by Palmer; approved in D by Miles Pendleton. Hoffman is not further identified. The time of the conversation was not indicated. An untitled paper summarizing Northrop’s relationship with Triad and a description of the Peace Hawk IV and IV programs are attached but not published. (Ibid.) Telegram 3378 from Jidda is published as Document 135.
141. Telegram From Secretary of State Kissinger to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia
Summary: Kissinger responded to Saudi concerns about Schlesinger’s comments and directed Akins to convey a message to King Khalid and Prince Fahd.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840125–1612. Secret; Immediate; Nodis; Stadis. Repeated Immediate to the Department of State. Kissinger was en route from Ankara, Turkey, where he attended the annual meeting of CENTO May 21–23. Kissinger’s message was delivered to Fahd at Dhahran on May 25, reported in telegram Tosec 20015/122586, May 27. (Ibid., [no film number]) For telegrams 3632, 3633, and 3634 from Jidda, May 22, see Document 139 and footnote 1 thereto.
142. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Department of State officials met with Northrop representatives to discuss upcoming meetings between Northrop and the Saudi Government.
Source: National Archives, RG 84, Jidda Embassy Files: Lot 79F80, POL Northrop and Lockheed. Confidential; Nodis. Drafted by Dickman; approved in S/S by Deputy Executive Secretary Frank Ortiz in June. Barger met again with Department officials on May 30. (Telegram 126781 to Jidda, May 30; ibid., DEF 12–5.13 Northrop) The Embassy indicated on May 25 that Akins would meet with Barger upon the latter’s arrival, “before he talks to anyone else.” (Telegram 3714 from Jidda, May 25; Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 208, Geopolitical File, Saudi Arabia, March 26–June 1 1975) The Embassy reported on Barger’s arrival and plans in telegram 3940 from Jidda, June 2. (National Archives, RG 84, Jidda Embassy Files: Lot 79F80, POL Northrop and Lockheed)
143. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported on Barger’s meeting with Prince Sultan in Cairo.
Source: National Archives, RG 84, Jidda Embassy Files: Lot 79F80, DEF 12–5.13 Northrop. Secret; Niact Immediate; Exdis. Repeated to Jidda. For the Ellsworth letter, see Document 131.
144. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassies in Egypt and Saudi Arabia
Summary: The Department provided guidance for Akins regarding Northrop and Lt. Gen. Fish’s May 23 letter to Prince Sultan.
Source: National Archives, RG 84, Jidda Embassy Files: Lot 79F80, DEF 12–5.13 Northrop. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. For Fish’s May 23 letter, see footnote 1, Document 137. Telegram 5534 from Cairo, June 4, is in the National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750195–0255. For telegram 3940 from Jidda, June 2, see footnote 1, Document 142.
145. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia
Summary: The Department directed Akins to request a letter from Prince Sultan specifically clarifying the retroactive nature of his denial of agents’ fees associated with the Peace Hawk IV program.
Source: National Archives, RG 84, Jidda Embassy Files: Lot 79F80, DEF 12–5.13 Northrop. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Telegram 4028 from Jidda, June 7, is in the National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750199–1183. For Prince Sultan’s May 17 letter and Fish’s May 23 reply, see Documents 131 and 137.
146. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State
Summary: Akins reported on his discussions with Prince Sultan related to agents’ fees, Northrop, and the Peace Hawk IV and V programs.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for the Middle East and South Asia, Box 29, Saudi Arabia—State Department Telegrams, To SecState-Exdis (3). Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Telegram 133649 to Jidda, June 7, is Document 145. Telegram 6516 from Cairo was not found. Akins provided the Department with his talking points in telegram 4028 from Jidda, June 7. (National Archives, RG 84, Jidda Embassy Files: Lot 79F80, DEF 12–5.13, Northrop) The Department response is Document 145. Ellsworth’s letter is Document 131. For Prince Sultan’s May 17 response and Fish’s letter regarding Peace Hawk IV, see Document 137.
147. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy transmitted Prince Sultan’s reply to Lt. Gen. Fish’s May 23 letter, reiterating his denial of all commission payments and other agents’ fees, and reminding the Department of Defense of his May 17 reply to Ellsworth’s March 6 letter.
Source: National Archives, RG 84, Jidda Embassy Files: Lot 79F80, DEF 12–5.13 Northrop. Secret; Immediate. Drafted by Akins; cleared by Murphy; approved by Horan. Repeated to the Department of Defense; repeated Immediate to Dhahran. Jidda 4138 is published as Document 146.
148. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia
Summary: The Department provided guidance for the Embassy regarding the Northrop dispute over commission fees.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P900105–0527. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Assistant Legal Advisor for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs B. Keith Huffman, Jr.; cleared by Dickman, Maw, and Fish, and in L/PM; approved by Sober. Telegram 137147 to OECD, June 12, is ibid., D750205–1169. Akins requested a public Department statement on agent’s fees in telegram 4206 from Jidda, June 11. (Ibid., RG 84, Jidda Embassy Files: Lot 79F80, DEF 12–5.13 Northrop)
149. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported on the Saudi request for information regarding U.S. policy toward the Soviet naval base at Berbera, Somalia.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for the Middle East and South Asia, Box 29, Saudi Arabia–State Department Telegrams, To SecState-Exdis (3). Secret; Exdis. Telegram 3577 from Jidda was not found. Telegram 3197 from Jidda, May 6, is in the National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750158–0374. The record of Kissinger’s February 15 meeting with Fahd is Document 127. Discussion of the Soviet base at Berbera is in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. E–6, Documents on Africa, 1973–1976, Documents 140, 144, and 155. Documentation on Diego Garcia is in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. E–8, South Asia, 1973–1976, Documents 57 and 69.
150. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Akins and NEA representatives met with Clements, Ellsworth, and other Department of Defense officials to review the status of several active programs in Saudi Arabia.
Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 330–78–0038, Saudi Arabia, 1975, 320.2–333. Secret. Drafted by Fifer; approved by Ellsworth. The meeting was held in Clements’ office at the Pentagon.
151. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State
Summary: Akins met with Prince Sultan, who agreed to speak with Khashoggi on Northrop’s behalf.
Source: National Archives, RG 84, Jidda Embassy Files: Lot 79F80, POL Northrop & Lockheed. Secret; Niact Immediate; Exdis. Drafted and approved by Horan. The Department authorized Akins’ meeting with Prince Sultan and provided guidance regarding Northrop’s contractual obligation to Khashoggi in telegram 164743 to Jidda, July 12. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750241–0349).
152. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting
Summary: Kissinger and members of his staff discussed MIDEASTFOR and the Northrop defense commissions issue.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–77, Entry 5177, Box 3, Secretary’s Analytical Staff Meetings. Secret. Kissinger chaired the meeting, attended by all the principal officers of the Department or their designated alternates.
153. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia
Summary: The Department informed the Embassy that Triad and Northrop had not successfully negotiated an agreement releasing Northrop from Triad’s claims to large agents’ fees. Akins enclosed a letter informing Prince Sultan of the possible effects of the situation on the Peace Hawk program.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750275–0120. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated to USMTM. Drafted by Dickman; cleared by Akins, Sober, B. Keith Huffman (L/NEA), and Fish; approved by Maw. The reference telegrams were not found. Copies of the correspondence between Triad and Northrop were sent to the Departments of State and Defense by Northrop’s law firm, Wilmer, Cutler, & Pickering. (National Archives, RG 84, Jidda Embassy Files: Lot 79F80, DEF 12.5–13, Northrop; ibid., POL Northrop & Lockheed, 1975)
154. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State
Summary: Horan discussed the Northrop situation with Prince Sultan, who maintained that he could not pressure Khashoggi to give up his contract with Northrop.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750278–0469. Secret; Niact Immediate; Exdis. Reference telegram B was not found. Telegrams 5039 from Jidda, July 14, and 188452 to Jidda, August 9, are Documents 151 and 153, respectively. On August 12, the Embassy transmitted to the Department Sultan’s reply to Akins’ letter as telegram 5639 from Jidda. (Ibid., RG 84, Jidda Embassy Files: Lot 79F80, DEF 12–5.13) The text of Akins’ letter is in Document 153.
155. Briefing Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Atherton) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Atherton provided Kissinger with talking points and background material in preparation for Kissinger’s trip to meet with King Khalid at Ta’if in September.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 209, Geopolitical File, Saudi Arabia, June 2–August 30, 1975. Secret; Nodis. Drafted on August 19 by Cecil, Molineaux, and Dickman; cleared by Special Assistant Roger Sorenson (E), Deputy Director of the Office of Fuels and Energy Lawrence Raich (EB/FSE), Fifer, Donald R. Niemi (PM/ISA), and Robert Barrett (AF/E). Two attachments are not published: a briefing memorandum drafted on August 14 by Dickman, entitled “Status of Saudi Arms Requests,” and an undated background paper entitled “Status Report on the Joint Economic Commission.”
156. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia
Summary: Kissinger transmitted a letter to King Khalid informing him of Akins’ recall, after it was reported in the Washington Post.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850011–1654, N750003–0294. Secret; Cherokee Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Atherton; cleared by Sisco, Eagleburger, and Executive Secretary Arthur Borg; approved by Kissinger. See Joseph Kraft, “A New Oil Diplomacy,” Washington Post, August 19, 1975, p. A15. The article was widely reprinted.
157. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State
Summary: Horan presented Kissinger’s letter to Prince Sa’ud ibn Faisal, informing him of Akins’ removal.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for the Middle East and South Asia, Box 29, Saudi Arabia—State Department Telegrams, To SecState-Nodis (7). Secret; Niact Immediate; Cherokee Nodis. The telegram is misdated July 20. For telegram 197113 to Jidda, August 19, and Kraft’s column, see Document 156.
158. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported on Prince Fahd’s reaction to Akins’ removal.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for the Middle East and South Asia, Box 29, Saudi Arabia—State Department Telegrams, To SecState-Nodis (7). Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Also sent to Alexandria and Jerusalem, where Kissinger traveled August 22–31 to negotiate Egyptian-Israeli disengagement.
159. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Kissinger met with King Khalid to discuss the status of Arab-Israeli peace negotiations.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Kissinger Reports on U.S.S.R., China, and Middle East Discussions, 1974–76, Box 5, Middle East Memcons and Reports, 1975, Folder 8/21–9/1/75, Sinai Disengagement Agreement, Volume III (9). Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place at Khalid’s residence in Ta’if. Kissinger stopped briefly in Ta’if to brief Khalid on the Middle East peace process after attending the signing of the second Egyptian-Israeli disengagement agreement in Jerusalem on September 1.
160. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State
Summary: Akins met with Sultan on September 10 to discuss the possibility of strengthening Northrop’s case against Triad, in view of Khashoggi’s refusal to relinquish his commission.
Source: National Archives, RG 84, Jidda Embassy Files: Lot 79F80, DEF 12–5 Agent Fees. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Horan; cleared by Murphy; approved by Akins. Repeated to USMTM. For telegram 5639 from Jidda, August 12, see footnote 1, Document 154.
161. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State
Summary: Akins met with Sultan to discuss the developing Lockheed bribery situation.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for the Middle East and South Asia, Box 30, Saudi Arabia—State Department Telegrams, To SecState-Nodis (8), 9/75–11/75. Secret; Immediate; Cherokee; Nodis. Akins met with Prince Sa’ud on September 12, and, in telegram 6272 from Jidda of that date, asked the Department for instructions on what assurances he could give the Saudis. (Ibid.) The Department replied on September 13 in telegram 218708 to Jidda, informing Akins that no names except for those of Khashoggi and a prince not employed by the Saudi government had been named by the Church Subcommittee. It instructed Akins to explain to Sa’ud and Sultan that the matter was outside executive branch control. (National Archives, RG 84, Jidda Embassy Files: Lot 79F80, POL Northrop and Lockheed) On August 13, Akins, Dickman, and Huffman had previously met in Washington with Lockheed representatives to discuss the issue. (Ibid., POL Lockheed)
162. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State
Summary: Akins met with Sultan, who informed him that he had demanded Khashoggi relinquish his claims to U.S. military contractors, including Lockheed and Northrop.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for the Middle East and South Asia, Box 30, Saudi Arabia—State Department Telegrams, To SecState-Nodis (8), 9/75–11/75. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. In telegram 218793 to Jidda, September 14, and referring to its previous telegram 218708 (see footnote 1, Document 161), the Department informed the Embassy that the Church Subcommittee had received documents revealing the names of “foreign government officials” paid by Triad or Lockheed. Church promised that these names would not be revealed. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750318–0697) Telegram 6333 from Jidda, September 14, is ibid., D750318–0826. On September 15, the Saudi Council of Ministers released Decree 1275, forbidding, ex post facto, any agent fee. (Ibid., RG 84, Jidda Embassy Files: Lot 79F80, DEF 12–5 Agent Fees) The Embassy received a further letter from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, formally notifying the United States of the new policy, on December 3. (Ibid.) On February 18, 1976, Prince Abdullah confirmed for Horan that the ban on agents’ fees would apply to all programs, including the SANG modernization, reported in telegram 1218 from Jidda, February 22. (Ibid.) On September 20, 1976, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mansouri notified Horan that it would also apply to service contracts, reported in telegram 6341 from Jidda of the same date. (Ibid.)
163. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Ford met with Prince Sa’ud to discuss the current state of Middle East negotiations, arms sales to Saudi Arabia, and the current session of the UN General Assembly.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 15, Chronological File. Secret; Nodis. The meeting was held in the Oval Office at the White House. Brackets are in the original. Kissinger sent Ford briefing papers for the meeting on September 18. (Ibid., Presidential Country Files for the Middle East and South Asia, Box 27, Saudi Arabia (6)).
164. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Kissinger met with Prince Sa’ud about military supply and the agents’ fees issue.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 209, Geopolitical File, Saudi Arabia, September 1–December 2, 1975. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Dickman. Copies were sent to Bremer (S); Adams (WH); and Rodman (S/S). The record of Prince Sa’ud’s conversation with Ford is Document 163. The text of Kissinger’s September 16 Cincinnati address is in the Department of State Bulletin, October 6, 1975, pp. 493–508.
165. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported on the state of relations between the Yemen Arab Republic and Saudi Arabia, noting rumors of a crisis over the possible sale of Soviet arms to the former.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for the Middle East and South Asia, Box 30, Saudi Arabia-State Department Telegrams, To SecState-Nodis (8), 9/75–11/75. Secret; Immediate; Nodis; Noforn; Eyes Only-Direct. Telegram 7533 from Jidda, November 11, is in the National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750395–0077. Reference telegram C was not found. For discussion of the Soviet arms sale to the Yemen Arab Republic, see Documents 220 and 222.
166. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State
Summary: Atherton reported on his conversations with Prince Fahd and King Khalid regarding the present state of U.S.-Saudi relations.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for the Middle East and South Asia, Box 30, Saudi Arabia—State Department Telegrams, To SecState-Nodis (9), 9/75–11/75. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Telegram 7997 from Jidda, December 2, is in the National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750419–0145. Atherton’s report of his conversation with Prince Sultan is Document 167.
167. Telegram From the Embassy in Saudi Arabia to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported on Atherton’s conversation with Prince Sultan on arms supplies to Saudi Arabia.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750443–0679. Secret; Priority; Exdis. Repeated to Dhahran; repeated Priority to Cairo. The report of Atherton’s meeting with Fahd and Khalid is Document 166. Kissinger’s conversation with Khalid, Fahd, and Sultan at Ta’if is Document 159. Sultan’s letter of September 17 was transmitted to the Department in telegram 6513 from Jidda, September 23. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750329–0090) Telegrams 7979 from Jidda, December 1, and 7224 from Jidda, October 28, are ibid., D750416–0306 and D750373–0618, respectively. Atherton’s confirmation by letter was sent December 20. (Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 330–78–0038, Box 23, Saudi Arabia 1975, Folder 121, January)