811.86/5–2050: Telegram
The Ambassador in Saudi Arabia (Childs) to the Secretary of State
niact
301. Shaikh Yusuf asked me meet him Foreign Office this a. m. upon his return from Riyadh to meet Syrian Prime Minister, and we had discussion lasting one hour and a half. YY1 said Syrian Prime Minister had on his own request sought audience with HM to discuss general situation Middle East and what could be done to improve general feeling Middle East, Iraq, Syria toward US.
Prime Minister said it was his desire do everything possible to remove factors which stood in way closest possible relations between Syria and US and between Arabs generally and US, and he had learned this also policy HM. There was widespread public feeling in Middle East against US because conviction US constantly weighting scales favor Israel against Arabs. US was withholding arms from Syria but granting them to Israel, and US was doing nothing to obtain compliance by Israel with UN resolutions while constantly exerting its influence with Arab states to make peace with Israel. Neither [Page 906] Syria nor any other Arab state had any aggressive intentions against any country in Middle East, and the Arab states would be glad to give positive assurances to this effect and urged that similar assurances be sought in Israel. Syria and Arab states generally were obsessed by fear Israeli aggression and, while they were eager and willing to give assurances against aggression, they were doubtful if Israel would give similar assurances, particularly as Israel had indicated it could adopt any policy it chose toward Arab states without any US interference while it could count on immediate US support re any Arab action vis-à-vis Israel.
I stated I greatly welcomed this opportunity to have such frank, friendly discussion with Prime Minister, of whom I had heard many favorable things from our very able Minister in Damascus, Keeley. I stressed Keeley deserved fullest possible support Syrian Government and intimated he had had very rough treatment recently. I emphasized we would do well to turn our faces to present and future rather than past and that I thought objectives we sought, namely, peace and stability Middle East were shared by all concerned, although we might differ as to means of obtaining this objective. Syrian Prime Minister interrupted to remark he agreed except re Israel’s objectives.
I recalled brilliant analysis by Minister Keeley at Istanbul Conference Arab public feeling and stated he had doubtless heard from Keeley that one of most important decisions reached at Istanbul was unanimous view Chiefs of Mission US Government should maintain impartial attitude as between Arabs and Israel. I did not believe we had deviated from this. Syrian Prime Minister had said we were pursuing different policy re arms. I said our policy was exactly the same toward Israel as toward all Arab states in the matter of arms. Syrian Prime Minister said Minister Keeley had recently asked him for list of arms possessed by Syrian Government before any consideration could be given to shipments. I said I did not think this unreasonable request and recalled UK had made similar condition recently to Israel, and I was not sure, but I believed we had informed Israel we would have to be better acquainted with their present position if we were to consider their request for arms.
I said when in Yemen I had first heard from Yemeni friends re Dawalibi’s statements in Cairo, particularly that Arab League delegates had been aroused by US Embassy representative and pressure put upon them to come to terms with Israel. I recalled that HE had informed Keeley Dawalibi’s statements did not represent views Syrian Government, but it was unfortunate so many misstatements were made about American policy and so many false interpretations given currency about it. It was true number of US Congressmen had publicly [Page 907] opposed shipment of arms to Arab states, but this was not to be taken necessarily as representing US policy.
Syrian Prime Minister recalled Keeley had aroused him after midnight to leave aide mémoire expressing views US Government re reported Syrian decision close frontiers against Jordan if peace made with Israel.2 He cited this as unwarranted interference Syrian policy and as representative policy pursued by US Government against which so much resentment had been aroused in Arab world. Syrian Prime Minister emphasized neither Syria nor any other Arab state was seeking aid US Government in its behalf in order to change public feeling against US Government. What was most needed in that regard was that US Government pursue a policy of absolute impartiality to restore former confidence in it.
Shaikh Yusuf said he would like sum up SA Government views re discussions:
Question introducing peace and stability Middle East had been discussed by Syrian Prime Minister at length with King at Riyadh. This was subject deep concern all Arab states. Facts were US Government and UK had imposed Israel upon Middle East, and situation had been created which had been source great disturbance and unsettlement. No effort had been made by US Government to obtain compliance Israel with UN resolutions. Arab states had gained impression HM had great influence with US Government, but facts were HM’s representations re Israel had proved of no avail. It was important we all make strenuous efforts to bring about cessation present uncertainty and disturbed conditions Middle East. Arab states had no aggressive intentions and accepted fact of Israel but had greatest concern re Israel’s intention. HM had thought of asking me join them in Riyadh, but considered it best discussion take place Jidda, and after report this initial conversation had been made US Government, HM would discuss US Government’s observations.
Syrian Prime Minister said he would like to add he and responsible officials in Arab states were strongly opposed to communism and wished to see Middle East source of strength to US rather than weakness. Unless we pursued policy designed attract Arab states to us rather than against us, aid we were giving Turkey would be nullified.
I said I thought our very frank and cordial exchange views had been most fruitful as it was evident to me we were all earnestly seeking same objectives. I knew my Government would welcome and take [Page 908] particular note assurances Syrian Prime Minister Syria had no aggressive intentions against other states Middle East. I asked if he had made similar statement to Keeley.
He replied he had not, but had said arms furnished Syria would be used only for defensive purposes. At my suggestion he agreed reiterate his assurances Keeley on his return Damascus, and he took initiative in stating he would urge giving similar assurances by Egypt and Lebanon.
I said my government had been greatly impressed by assurances given 1947 by Crown Prince Saud on behalf HM to US Government in this regard3 and that I felt certain US Government would consider assurances given by SA, Syria, and other Arab states represented as step forward toward goal we are seeking.
Shaikh Yusuf nodded his head and seemed very pleased at reference made to SA Government. (Department will appreciate reason my making this reference.)
At one moment in conversation, Prime Minister said, unless there was same willingness on part of Israel as there was on part of Arab states to reach a just and equitable settlement, any peace treaty reached would mean nothing.
I said his statement closely conformed with Secretary Acheson’s words re peace treaty with Russia, to effect that treaties and agreements are only of use when they reflect existing situations of fact.
I asked if Arab states had formulated any reply to recent PCC invitation Israel and Arab states send delegations Geneva. I remarked I understood Israel had agreed to send delegation without conditions. YY said decision had been taken at Arab League to send delegation only if Israel would agree to execute UN resolutions, and Arab states were adamant in this regard. YY concluded by saying HM always used utmost frankness with US Government in view their close friendly relations. We have stated the problem, and it is up to the US Government to take cognizance of this situation which we have analyzed frankly and sincerely in order to indicate means by which public opinion may be changed in favor US.
Prime Minister proceeding Cairo for conversations Egyptian Government.
Department pass priority Cairo 62, Amman 14, Geneva 2 (for PCC). Sent Department 301, niact London Tosec 68, repeated priority Damascus 34, repeated information Baghdad 27, Tel Aviv 9, Jerusalem 5, Beirut 16.
- Yusuf Yassin, Deputy Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, sometimes Acting.↩
- Legation Damascus advised, on May 23, that the Prime Minister’s statement that Minister Keeley had roused him after midnight was inaccurate. The Minister had requested an audience with the Prime Minister through customary Foreign Office channels the day before the Prime Minister’s departure for Cairo and the hour of reception (9 p. m.) had been fixed by the Prime Minister (684A.85/5–2350).↩
- For documentation on the visit of Crown Prince Saud to the United States, see Foreign Relations,1947, vol. v, pp. 738–741, 1007–1008, and 1329–1340, passim.↩