123. Letter From the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Clements) to Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation Prince Turki1
I am pleased to have received your three letters summing up the important issues discussed and the agreements reached during our recent meetings. The information you provided during our frank discussions and in your letters has been most useful in helping me pinpoint a number of areas in need of special attention. I am most appreciative for the information you have given me.
You may be assured that the entire range of subjects which we discussed during your recent visit to the United States has my personal concern and will have my continuing attention to see that all subjects [Page 443] are given due consideration. The appropriate organizations in the Department of Defense are obtaining the necessary information and taking the actions required to respond to your requests. Some areas, as I am sure you will understand, are more complicated than others and require more time to reach a suitable solution. I’m sure you and your staff are already receiving information through USMTM and our Embassy as a result of your visit here and your meeting in November with Assistant Secretary Ellsworth and you may expect to receive more information soon. I am determined that we will carry out fully those things to which we have already agreed.
I believe that one of the understandings we have reached concerning your interests in aircraft and associated weapons systems, by itself, clearly demonstrates my Department’s fundamental, forthcoming attitude toward Saudi Arabia. Problems are sure to arise from time to time in carrying out your very extensive modernization program but I trust that neither side will allow such difficulties to obscure the sound fundamental relationship between them.
I have also received your letter of 2 December concerning medical treatment for Saudi military personnel and their families at various military installations in the United States. Mr. Ellsworth’s staff has contacted your Military Attaché to obtain more information with a view to resolving the problem.
Finally, Your Royal Highness, I wish to thank you for your kind letter of 4 December. I am most pleased that you and your delegation were favorably impressed with your visit to Washington and your tour of the United States. I look forward to steady progress in the modernization of your Defense Forces and our continued cooperation in that endeavor.
Please accept the renewed assurance of my highest esteem.
Sincerely,
Summary: Clements reassured Turki regarding Saudi requests for expedited arms shipments and the modernization of the Saudi armed forces.
Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 330–77–0054, Saudi Arabia 000.1–121 1974. Confidential. Clements wrote a brief postscript: “It was great having you in the USA—Come again soon!” The record of Turki’s November 22 meeting with DOD officials is published as Document 121. Turki’s December 2 letter to Clements was not found.
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