144. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassies in Egypt and Saudi Arabia1
130976. Subject: Northrop Relations With Saudi Arabia. Ref: (A) Cairo 5534; (B) Jidda 3940.
1. For Cairo: We agree that you should not ask to meet with Sultan on this subject.
2. For Jidda: Believe it would be useful for you to meet with Sultan and Fahd, in your discretion, to attempt to sooth Saudi irritation and to contain damage to our relations. You may emphasize that disclosures are not the fault of Northrop or USG and are not aimed at SAG but are the result of U.S. law and legal procedures. We would also appreciate your view on whether transmittal of Fish letter of May 23 will elicit sharp Saudi reaction, and if so, how matter can be best managed to minimize any Saudi feeling that it is being pressured or embarrassed by USG. We agree you should not become involved in Northrop’s negotiations with Sultan relating to the status of Northrop’s agreement with Triad. Therefore, believe you should not advise Barger on the substance of the letter he proposes Sultan to send to Ellsworth.
3. We see no possibility of affecting timetable of Church Committee on hearings or publication of any report that it may choose to make. You can point out that through efforts of Northrop and of friendly Senators with whom we had been in touch, Committee has decided not to press for premature disclosure of names of Saudi generals who have been implicated by Khashoggi. However number of details have already appeared in press article which being repeated septel.
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.
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