886A.413/5–750: Telegram
The Ambassador in Saudi Arabia (Childs) to the Consulate General at Dhahran1
124. Re Embtel 266 May 6.2 FonOff asked me meet Prince Feisal late yesterday for further exchange views re extremely delicate question religious services Dhahran. I had one and half hour talk with Feisal whose statements and conciliatory attitude impressed me greatly as indicating SAG as deeply desirous as we to find some satisfactory formula which would enable matter to be kept within bounds. Briefly Feisal stated:
Saudi Arabia as Holy Land Islam made situation here different than other Arab countries and made it essential King have regard not only for extremely strong feeling existing interior re protection character this Holy Land but also possible criticism from abroad by other Arab or Moslem states.
Prohibition existed against holding any public religious services by any other than four orthodox Sunni sects and this prohibition extended not only to Christian religion but even to Shia Moslem rites as well. King under very great pressure in this respect and Feisal did not believe we realized extent feeling in many parts kingdom. His Majesty was already proceeding much too far in his accommodation Americans. But for great personal prestige of His Majesty, Saudi Arabia would never have been able to go as far as it has in way innovation.
I repeated many arguments I had already used. I stated FonOff had informed me that morning Christian religious leaders not permitted in Saudi Arabia. I knew for fact SAG had invited members Dutch Reformed Mission Bahrein to Saudi Arabia as doctors who had same holy character as Sloan and furthermore assignment chaplains at [Page 1174] airbase no new development. I repeated neither I nor General O’Keefe nor USAF could accept deprivation by USAF personnel spiritual counsellors.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I replied I regretted not having had any comment so far from General O’Keefe but I could state frankly I had recommended assemblies cease at Guidance Center and prayer services be transferred to more private premises. I could also state Sloan would be transferred but I emphasized this would not necessarily be tomorrow and SAG must give us time both to avoid any possibility appearance his transfer at instigation SAG and in order to effect his replacement. Feisal stated he could assure me SAG would raise no objections holding private services in private premises not as conspicuously identified as place of worship. Although I had stated Guidance Center not a church, Saudis did not know what a church was and accordingly had come to identify Guidance Center as a church. …
In light of all facts it is very evident desire of SAG to find accommodation us which will not make difficult His Majesty’s position with religious leaders. It is my considered judgment foregoing represents most satisfactory solution this very difficult question which has troubled me more than any problem I have had in Saudi Arabia since Palestine partition.
I wish emphasize Sloan’s transfer would not be made at suggestion SAG as Feisal assured me there was no suggestion whatsoever of his expulsion. It is my view his transfer would contribute much to relieve situation and it was on this account I proposed it although no immediate urgency.
In face extremely explosive elements confronting King I believe SAG has displayed considerable good will and appreciation our own position in closing its eyes to question religious services Dhahran until we by our own imprudence and excessive zeal forced SAG raise issue. I strongly feel we should take measures now proposed which represent real concessions on part SAG even though some concessions on our part but which when balanced with need protecting King’s position, conform with our own interests.
It was agreed interim reply would be made to King while awaiting comments from O’Keefe.3
- This telegram was repeated to the Department of State as 268, here used as the source text.↩
- Not printed. Childs recommended transferring religious services from the Guidance Center to some other building on the Dhahran Airfield to which Saudi Arabians would not have access and replacing Sloan with an officer who would exercise as much discretion as the Catholic chaplain. (886A.413/5–650)↩
- In telegram 82, May 9, from Dhahran to the Department of State, O’Keefe sent a message that he would convert the Guidance Center to a base library, hold worship services in the base theater, and request the transfer of Sloan (886A.413/5–950).↩