786A.00/9–1950: Telegram
Counselor of the Embassy in Saudi Arabia (Hill) to the Secretary of State
160. Prince Feisal came to Jidda this afternoon from Mecca and shortly afterwards Foreign Office called to say he wanted me come see him at 4:30.
Meeting was at Foreign Office, with Prince Mansour and Tahir Bey in attendance.
Feisal said that reason he sent for me was because after our conversations Riyadh September 2,1 His Majesty had formulated his reply and not wishing to send it by telegram or to call me back to Riyadh to receive it, His Majesty had instructed him to communicate it to me personally, in view its confidential nature. Feisal explained he been unable come to Jidda sooner because of illness, and had arrived in Mecca from Haifa only last night. Said he came Jidda for this purpose [Page 1188] and would return Mecca immediately after our talk and Prince Saud giving big reception there tonight for pilgrim leaders. He added that in order not to delay work at airfield he had already informed O’Keefe personally of the message.
Prince Feisal then read message and handed me copy, translation of which follows:
[Here follows the message, net printed, expressing the King’s desire to base his Government’s action regarding defense of the Dhahran Airfield on the overall defense needs of Saudi Arabia.]
This seemed auspicious occasion to convey thoughts Deptel 90, September 12.2 I stated Department had informed me that President Truman had signed MDAP legislation on July 26 and that defense progress had been made since then on plans for granting reimbursable military assistance to Saudi Arabia. Feisal interrupted to say that instead of “reimbursable military assistance to Saudi Arabia” we should say “military equipment sold to Saudi Arabia”. When he said this, Prince Mansour, who is usually immobile and expressionless, shrugged his shoulders and made a discouraged gesture.
I continued by saying that Ambassdor Hare hopes shortly after his arrival to begin discussions on this subject and also on DAF. I made no commitments of any sort nor were any requested.
In spite of fact that Ambassador Childs repeatedly made it clear to SAG that military aid would have to be reimbursable (Embdesp 197, June 143) it is obvious that this thought is extremely distasteful to them and that they personally feel they are entitled to some free military assistance in form of arms. It would appear likely that these sentiments may cause a major obstacle in negotiations long term DAF agreement as I believe their pride also deeply concerned here and perhaps more important to them than monetary considerations. No doubt Department already giving serious consideration all such factors in connection with plans for long term agreement.
I did not inquire of Mansour anything about munitions factory development (Embtel 159, September 194) as he did not raise subject and because I was not in position offer any proposal in lieu thereof had he broached such inquiry in reply.
Repeated info Dhahran 81.
- See telegram 127, September 3, p. 1185.↩
- Supra.↩
- The reference appears to be an error. The message cited cannot be further identified.↩
- Not printed. Hill reported that Najib Salha told him Prince Mansour was negotiating with two French officers about SAG plans to set up a munitions factory to produce both rifle cartridges and small shells. Najib said Mansour had decided the Saudi Arabian Government could wait no longer for military assistance from the United States. (7860A.00/9–1950).↩