Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V

786A.5–MAP/5–1050: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia

top secret

Washington, May 10, 1950—5 p. m.

164. Deptel 48 Mar 11¹ and Embtel 250 May 3.²

1) FYI only State informed by Defense JCS consider, on basis continuing US interests in security of SA, negots to obtain extension DAB agreement and certain additional rights shld be pursued as matter of urgency.

2) JCS have further agreed in principle to provision of mil assistance to SA on reimbursable basis and are according priority to study of extent of proposed assistance.

3) Re assistance on token or temporary basis pending congressional action, JCS have determined 5,000 M–1 rifles and 5,000,000 rounds ammunition cld be made available to SA without seriously affecting mobilization capability US services.³

4) Defense has made it clear, however, availability dependent on a) determination that as last resort evidence of US interest is required in connection with negots for extension DAB agreement; b) definite indication favorable action is obtained from congressional leaders as to proposed reimbursable aid program for SA.

5) Dept does not believe that determination under 4) a) cld be justified since it now appears short-term extension may be obtained without token shipment. Re 4) b), in advance presentation leg to Congress, Dept considers inadvisable to request commitment and in any event unlikely congressional leaders wld be willing give such assurance.

6) MDAP 1950–51 draft leg submitted to Budget May 1. Presidential submission leg to Congress sched May 24.

7) On basis recent developments in SA (McGhee and Collins conversations with SAG) and in US (question arms shipments to NE and fact Congress has not yet taken up MDAP leg) Dept considers it advisable to confine your approach to SAG to request for extension present DAB agreement for some period no later than Mar 1, 1951 by exchange of ltrs with intention on our part opening negots soonest when circumstances permit.

8) For purpose facilitating exchange you may if necessary indicate Dept wld be willing in so far as it can be to assist SAG in commercial procurement of such interim supplies as are available in open market. It shld be added however that except for urgent items SAG wld undoubtedly consider it desirable to await final Defense and JCS recommendations re O’Keefe report before initiating procurement program.⁴

9) In view foregoing Dept does not believe State–Defense negotiating team will be necessary at time of exchange of ltrs but will be required at later stage when USG is in position to commence discussions re long-term agreement.

10) Dept wld, however, like ur views before making foregoing approach.

Webb

1. Not printed, but see footnote 1, p. 1129.
2. Not printed; it stated that if the Department of State preferred extension of the Dhahran Airbase Agreement to March 1 instead of January 1, it could probably be arranged (786A.5/5–350).
3. See footnote 3, p. 1130.
4. Department of State telegram 173, May 18, to Jidda, not printed, authorized Childs to use the information in paragraphs 7 and 8 when approaching the Saudi Arabian Government, and also to explain to them that the information in paragraph 6 was “required procedure in US for obtaining necessary legislative authority from Cong to provide USG procurement assistance on reimbursable basis.” (786A.5–MAP/5–1850)