37. Telegram From the Embassy in the United Arab Emirates to the Department of State1

1219. Subject: US/UAE Relations and UAE Oil Policy. Ref: A. Abu Dhabi 1196; B. Beirut 10224.

Summary: Spent very cordial hour and half morn Aug 30 discussing variety of subjects (reported separately) with ForMin Suwaidi and UnderSec Ghubash, both of whom departing Sept 1 for series visits and Algiers Non-Aligned Conf. Suwaidi went out of his way to express UAEG conviction that continued close relations with US essential and Ghubash volunteered clarification of Zayid interview re alleged threat cut off oil to US. Total effect of both presentations was to reassure USG of UAEG determination strengthen rather than disrupt friendship with US. End summary.

1. Finally managed see ForMin Suwaidi 0930 local after having sought appt for several days. He apologized for delay and said he had been out of town, presumably making preparations with Zayid for visits to Qatar and Bahrain; Algiers Non-Aligned Summit; Arab League ForMins mtg. in Cairo; Zayid’s visit to U.K.; and UNGA session. MFA beehive of activity as final arrangements being made, and I had expected have only few moments with two key officials.

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2. Suwaidi seemed in very good mood and said he welcomed opportunity for talk. I told him I had several matters which I felt it important to discuss with him prior to his departure (specific topics reported in septels). Central theme of entire conversation was importance UAEG attaches to close relationship with US. Suwaidi did not—rpt not—mention Zayid’s alleged threat to cut off oil shipments if other Arab producers decided to do so, nor did I broach subject. He did, however, emphasize hope of UAEG that friendly relations with US, which he said vitally important, will continue grow stronger.

3. According Suwaidi, US is major power in which UAEG has trust and UAEG wants USG to be quote at top of list of its friends end quote. He said he felt UAE and US interests in stability and development of Gulf region essentially coincidental. Concluding, he remarked that UAE needs continued US friendship and friendly assistance in development. I thanked Suwaidi for his remarks and assured him USG recognizes mutuality of benefits from close relations and shares UAEG desire for deep and abiding friendship. Suwaidi agreed vigorously that among friends need for frequent and frank exchanges of views and room for occasional differences on approach so long as common bonds and interests exist on essentials.

4. Subsequently saw Ghubash to cover details of several topics. When review concluded, Ghubash said he wished clarify statements attributed in press to Sheikh Zayid. Ghubash said he was present at Zayid interview with Lebanese journalist (Suwaidi was out of country at the time) and Zayid’s intent had been quote badly tilted end quote in published press reports. According Ghubash, there was language and psychological barrier between Zayid and journalist and this, coupled with effort to make good story better, had resulted in distortion of Zayid’s views.

5. Ghubash said Zayid expressed two major ideas: (A) Oil-rich Arab states should assist those without oil revenues, but help should not be random or haphazard. Arab states should get together to establish channels for allocation of funds on rational basis. (B) Oil can serve as important means of promoting understanding of Arab, and specifically UAE, policy. Re energy crisis, Ghubash said that Zayid explained that, as Arab and Muslim, it not possible for him take undue advantage of situation and, as far as US concerned, UAEG does not—rpt not—demand that US become anti-Israeli. UAE seeks neutral US policy toward Arab-Israeli dispute and greater understanding of Arab feelings and viewpoints.

6. Ghubash said he interrupted, as reported para 1 reftel B, to Counsel Zayid that interviewer might construe what Zayid had said as threat to halt oil shipments to US. Journalist then asked what Zayid would do if Arab states took unanimous decision to ban oil for US [Page 188] market? Ghubash said Zayid answered this provocative question by saying that, as Arab and under those circumstances, he would have no choice but to follow suit.

7. Ghubash asked that I convey his clarification to Dept. He said he felt Zayid had been had by interviewer, but admitted he had not had chance discuss question with Zayid since appearance of press reports. Said I appreciated his amplification of interview and would, of course, relay it to Washington. I added that I had not yet seen original interview but had naturally drawn attention of Dept to item which appeared in Herald-Tribune in low key manner pending clarification.

8. Comment: Had impression following talk with Suwaidi and prior seeing Ghubash that Suwaidi attempting forestall any damage to US/UAE relations which might result from alleged Zayid threat without, however, bringing subject into open. Suwaidi has spent last several days in close consultation with Zayid and news of my request for appt reached him while he still in Zayid’s company. Whether it was anticipated that in under instructions raise subject or not, we shall probably never know, but assume Zayid and Suwaidi probably considered how best deal with possibility USG reaction. Have also recently heard radio accounts of interview by same Lebanese magazine with King Faisal in Saudi Arabia in which Faisal reportedly critical of those who urge use of oil itself rather than oil revenues in support of Arab cause. Zayid could be expected to be sensitive to this kind of criticism of position he alleged to have taken.

9. In fact, it out of character for Zayid and UAEG to get out in front on so sensitive an issue. Zayid undoubtedly sought in interview protect himself against attacks on his dedication to Arabism, but probably did not expect to find himself widely quoted as primary architect of oil boycott. Having made what he regards as proper noises, there evidence Zayid does not—rpt not—envisage having promise put to real test. Ghubash confided that, while hypocrisy is too strong a word, UAEG does not expect Arab states to meet criterion unanimous, binding policy decision and he implied that this in part because UAE among others, would work in inter-Arab councils to prevent development of consensus which UAE would have to endorse.

Howell
  1. Summary: Embassy Economic Officer Nathanial Howell met with UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmad Khalifa al-Suwaydi, primarily to discuss any UAE response to a possible oil embargo against the United States by other Arab powers.

    Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 632, Country Files, Middle East, Trucial States. Secret; Exdis. Repeated to Kuwait City, Jidda, Manama, Tripoli, Cairo, and Algiers. Telegrams 1196 from Abu Dhabi, August 27, and 10224 from Beirut, August 29, are in the National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number].