252. Memorandum of Conversation1
SUBJECT
- Sale of British Aircraft to Saudi Arabia and Jordan
PARTICIPANTS
- Mr. Michael N. F. Stewart, Minister, British Embassy
- Mr. Christopher Everett, First Secretary, British Embassy
- NEA—Assistant Secretary Raymond A. Hare
- NE—Mr. Harrison M. Symmes
- NE—David Korn
1. Saudi Arabia. Mr. Stewart said that Sir Donald Stokes of Leyland Motors, who is spearheading the effort to promote sales of British arms abroad, had recently approached Secretary McNamara concerning sales of British Lightning aircraft to the Saudi Air Force. Mr. McNamara had told him that the United States would see no objection to such British sales, provided the U.S. had not already entered into a commitment to sell American aircraft. British Ambassador Dean had subsequently (October 6) called on Secretary McNamara at which time the Secretary had confirmed his remarks to Stokes. Mr. Stewart asked if the Department knew whether the Saudis had reached a decision concerning what aircraft they desired to purchase. Mr. Symmes responded that our latest information was that the Saudis were still considering the matter. Mr. Stewart stressed that if the U.K. is to continue to shoulder its share of the Western defense burden it must meet its balance of payments problem. Sales of Lightnings to the Saudis were part of this problem.
[Here follows discussion of aircraft sales to Jordan.]
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964-66, DEF 12-5 SAUD. Secret; Exclusive Distribution. Drafted by Moore.↩