143. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State1
5516. Department pass SecDef for Under Secretary Ellsworth only. Subject: Northrop Relations With Saudi Arabia.
1. Please pass following message from Tom Berger to Northrop outside legal counsel Howard Willens at 202–872–6000:
2. Quote. Amir Sultan, Saudi Minister of Defense, left for Cairo evening I arrived Jiddah. Courtesy Embassies help arrived Cairo noon 3 June and had two hour meeting with help commercial officer. Saudi Ambassador interpreted. Sultan listened carefully and read Triad section of audit report which Embassy Jiddah translated for me. Upshot long meeting he indignant Senate hearings and urges suspension on grounds unjust because it does not give time SAG make own investigation and take action before possible screaming headlines blackening Saudi Govt and armed forces reputation. He raised Ellsworth letter most forcefully and I had difficulty keeping on first subject to conclusion.
3. Very indignant manner Ellsworth letter written and handled at one time speaking of abandoning all procurement through US Dept of Defense despite investment Northrop planes. Finally asked we meet again tomorrow with Ambassador Eilts who returned tonight from Salzburg. End quote.
4. Ambassador will meet with Barger and Saudi Ambassador Nazir morning June 4 and provide additional details.
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.
↩