98. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia1
15511. Subj: Letter From President Nixon to King Faisal. Ref: Jidda 379 and 380.
1. You should transmit immediately following letter from the President to King Faisal.
2. Begin text.
Your Majesty:
I was gratified to hear from Ambassador Akins of his long and fruitful audience with you on January 23. It is heartening to me, and a measure of the strength and depth of the friendship between our two countries, that we can exchange views in a spirit of mutual understanding and respect when differences arise between us, and together overcome those differences.
In earlier messages to Your Majesty I have said that events have proven the wisdom of your counsel over the years. My government is now embarked upon and committed to a course of action that can, I am convinced, bring a just and durable peace to the Middle East. The [Page 356] first fruits of that commitment are reflected in the agreement on the disengagement of forces signed last Friday, under which Israeli forces will withdraw into Sinai as a first step toward a final peace settlement in accordance with Security Council Resolutions 338 and 242.
The disengagement of forces provided for in the agreement will begin this Friday and will, I am confident, be completed within the period prescribed in the agreement. In addition, during Secretary Kissinger’s last visit to the Middle East we have initiated efforts looking toward parallel progress with respect to the Syrian-Israeli and Jordanian-Israeli aspects of a settlement.
I was pleased to hear from Ambassador Akins of the positive view Your Majesty has taken of these achievements on the road to peace, which are in accordance with our earlier assurances to you. It is a source of satisfaction to me that for your part you intend, as soon as the withdrawal of Israeli forces begins, to initiate contacts with other Arab governments and that a favorable decision on lifting the boycott will then be possible.
I would plan to announce this decision when I deliver my State of the Union message the evening of January 30. This decision by Your Majesty and other Arab governments will accord with our common interests in working for a free, prosperous, and peaceful Middle East. It will have a most favorable impact on the Members of Congress and the American people and will enable the US to continue our efforts in the search for peace with justice. I look forward to remaining in close touch with Your Majesty during the period ahead which I view with new hope for the future of the Middle East and for the future of the relations between our two countries and peoples.
Sincerely Yours,
Richard Nixon
End text.
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Summary: The Department transmitted a letter from President Nixon to King Faisal related to Middle East peace negotiations.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 207, Geopolitical File, Saudi Arabia, January 4–February 6 1974. Secret; Niact Immediate; Cherokee; Nodis. Drafted by Atherton on January 23, and approved by Kissinger. Telegrams 379 from Jidda, January 2, and 380 from Jidda, January 23, are in the National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840130–2604 and P840028–2091, respectively. For other correspondence with Saudi Arabian officials regarding the end of the October War, see Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969–1974, Document 278.
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