Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXI, Near East Region; Arabian Peninsula

249. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia¹

Washington, August 1, 1965, 10:48 a.m.

47. Embtel 60.² Agree it unlikely UAR plans bomb Saudi territory while Al-Khouli in Jidda. However, you should report immediately any added evidence confirming UAR overflights.

UAR aware our continued support Saudi integrity. This point reiterated to UAR Ambassador Washington on three occasions during past week. He claims to have reported this to Cairo in strong terms. Embassy Cairo is also to discuss with UAR FonMinistry.

Concur your recommendation American pilots continue fly SDI flights as usual.

Will comment subsequently on proposed contingency position with SAG.

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964-66, POL 31-1 SAUD-UAR. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Moore, cleared by Hart in substance, and approved by Davies. Repeated to Cairo, Taiz, London, Dhahran, CHUSMTM Dhahran, CINCSTRIKE/CINCMEAFSA, and COMIDEASTFOR.
2. In telegram 60 from Jidda, July 31, Seelye wrote that Saudi aviation technicians had reported that UAR aircraft, allegedly MIGs, had been overflying Jizan in recent days. He noted that this was one of several recent indicators that the United Arab Republic was either engaged in a campaign to make Nasser’s July 22 threat against Saudi Arabia appear credible or that it in fact was planning an imminent air attack on Saudi supply depots in Jizan and Najran. If the latter, Seelye noted that it was unreasonable to expect that such an attack would be carried out while Al-Khouli was negotiating with the Saudi Arabian Government. (Ibid.)