119. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford1
The following is Secretary Kissinger’s report of his conversations with King Faisal.
“I had a one and one half hour audience with King Faisal in Riyadh this evening, preceded by a one hour preliminary meeting with Foreign Minister Saqqaf. Contrary to some indications we had that the King might be in a difficult mood, and despite his fatigue in the last few [Page 426] days of the fasting month of Ramadan, I found His Majesty alert and the atmosphere of the meeting warm and positive. I conveyed to the King your personal greetings and hope that he will be able to visit you, as well as your strong commitment to continuity in our Middle East policy.
“The King reiterated several times his strong desire for even closer relations with the United States and his determination to do all he can to encourage closer United States ties with the Arab world. As he has on a number of occasions recently, the King combined this with an appeal for rapid movement on the peacemaking front. He also urged that we do all we can to speed our assistance to the Arab countries, that Saudi Arabia is encouraging to follow a peaceful and moderate course. I assured him of our firm intention to do so.
“The King made his usual plea for the all-out Arab program: 1967 frontiers, return of Palestinians, Jerusalem. The King listened carefully to my explanation of our current strategy and of the need to mobilize support for it at home. I stressed the imperative need for a step-by-step approach. While he would obviously like more rapid progress, I believe I was able to obtain greater understanding on his part of the realities within which we must work and to allay for now, at least, the restiveness which he has lately reflected. I also explained why we feel we must vote against the General Assembly Resolution on the Palestine Liberation Organization. Despite Faisal’s strong emotional support for the Palestine cause, he acknowledged that we must do what we feel necessary to preserve our peacemaking role. I am hopeful that he will help temper Arab reactions to our position on this issue in New York.
“I am particularly encouraged by my talk with Faisal on the oil price question. In explaining our concerns about the effect of high prices on the world economic structure, I made clear that our recent public statements on his questions were not directed only at the Arabs. I stressed that a collapse of the world economy would only assist the spread of Communism. Faisal affirmed that it is Saudi policy to bring prices down and said he would seek to help in this respect, with other oil producers. He urged me to say so publicly. In my departure remarks at the airport, I commented favorably on Saudi Arabia’s constructive position on the oil price question—a statement which the Saudis made clear they welcomed. Saqqaf, the Foreign Minister, endorsed the statement. He also effusively supported our step-by-step approach which should help greatly in Syria and other radical countries.
“Given King Faisal’s influence in the Arab world, particularly with those countries whose support for our peacemaking efforts is important, and recent indications that Faisal was becoming disheartened and beginning to doubt our constancy, I am very encouraged by his positive reaction this evening. I think we can count on him to help keep tempers [Page 427] calm in the area as we continue our preparations for the next stage of the negotiations.
“I am now on my way back to Cairo where I will have talks tomorrow with President Sadat.”
Summary: Scowcroft relayed to President Ford a summary from Kissinger of his October 13 meeting with King Faisal.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Trip Briefing Books and Cables for Henry Kissinger, 1974–76, Box 1, Kissinger Trip File, October 8–13, 1974—Middle East, HAK Messages for the President. Secret; Sensitive. Ford initialed the memorandum. The record of the meeting is in the Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 208, Geopolitical File, Saudi Arabia, August 10–October 28, 1974.
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