Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 1

Conference files, lot 59 D 95, CF 156

No. 35
Memorandum of Conversation, Prepared in the Embassy in Saudi Arabia¹

secret
ST D–7/1

Riyadh, May 18, 1953—10 p.m.

Subject:

• Saudi Arabia

Participants:

• United States
  • The Secretary
  • Mr. Stassen
  • Ambassador Hare
  • Mr. Byroade
  • Mr. MacArthur
  • Interpreter
• Saudi Arabia
  • Crown Prince Saud
  • Prince Faisal, Foreign Minister
  • Shiekh Yussef, Deputy Foreign Minister, and advisors

Summary

Crown Prince Saud welcomed Mr. Dulles and his party and expressed pleasure over the opportunity to talk to them personally about matters uppermost in Saudi minds, even though Prince Faisal had done this in detail when in Washington. It was desirable, His Highness continued, to rediscuss the same subjects frankly, because frankness was the only basis on which these problems could be worked out.

The U.S. representatives, he said, were aware of Saudi Arabia’s friendship toward America and of the fact that she was placing great hope on this friendship and was hoping for more and more to come out of it. He then pointed out that there were two points to discuss. First, the American Government’s readiness to fulfill the obligation given by the previous President of the U.S. and reaffirmed by President Eisenhower. Second, the attitude of the United States toward the British. He then inquired whether the final U.S. attitude was in favor of the British or whether the U.S. expected more details from Saudi Arabia in order to reconsider? His Government, Prince Saud continued, did not know whether Saudi Arabia had yet gained the friendship of the U.S. and whether the U.S. would support her. If not, he said, Saudi Arabia would have to find some other way to maintain her interests. He requested the Americans to express their attitude toward Saudi Arabia in frankness and said that on the basis of such an expression of attitude, Saudi Arabia could establish her policy. He noted that this was a summary of what Prince Faisal had explained to the Americans in detail and a subject on which his Government was still awaiting a reply.

Prince Faisal remarked that what Prince Saud had said in connection with the dispute between Saudi Arabia and Britain² was not the only subject which they would like to discuss. He said there was still another question, but they wished first to know the attitude of the U.S. regarding the dispute before proceeding to the next discussion.

Mr. Dulles replied that the dispute did not appear to be a matter which would be covered by the promises given in the letter sent by President Truman. Prince Saud said on the contrary, his Government believed it was included, because the letter guaranteed against any aggression toward Saudi Arabia, and the forceful action taken by the British in the area being discussed was considered to be real aggression. Mr. Dulles replied that the letter, as he recalled it, stated that the U.S. would be interested in the continuance of the integrity and independence of Saudi Arabia and that any aggression against Saudi Arabia would be of concern to the U.S. Mr. Dulles added that a dispute such as the one over Buraimi appeared to him to be confined only to boundaries and could not be included under the heading of aggression. This divergence of views regarding the nature of the Buraimi dispute, he continued, was similiar to the difference of views which took place between many countries, as it had between America and Canada and between America and Mexico.

The Crown Prince replied that this was not a boundary dispute but was an aggression against the Saudi Kingdom. He and his Government considered it aggression, because that area had been in possession of the King’s fathers and forefathers; and he said that if America would not accept Saudi proof, there was nothing more to be done. Prince Saud expressed the view that the British would not agree to a plebiscite because they knew the people living in that area were subjects of Saudi Arabia and, if a plebiscite were carried out, the whole of the population would be on the Saudi side. Mr. Dulles said that, according to his knowledge, the British did not like to claim anything by force and that the claims of the British were based on certain documents which they were ready to present to a neutral party for study. Prince Saud replied that, on the contrary, all the British had done in the area under discussion was to take forceful measures, even resorting to terrorism; and he said he believed that the American Ambassador had described these actions. The British had stopped food supplies to his people, thus killing his people by starvation, and they had even killed innocent people, he said. Mr. Dulles replied that he understood the King was exchanging communications with Mr. Churchill. The Prince said this was true but that the British were trying to dictate to Saudi Arabia, particularly when they knew that the friends of Saudi Arabia (the Americans) had deserted them. Mr. Dulles said it was not true to say that the Americans had deserted Saudi Arabia, and that any group that presented a claim supported by certain documents, expressing at the same time their willingness for neutral consideration of the facts, was not planning to resort to forceful measures. Prince Saud said treatment of the documents which were in the hands of the British constituted forceful action: violation of agreements and cancellation of a bilateral agreement, the cancellation being by consent of the British only. He referred to an agreement signed in Riyadh by Saudi Arabia and the British and pointed out that Saudi Arabia had accepted the British point of view in refusing the suggestion for a plebiscite and had accepted the British proposal for arbitration. They had done so under pressure from the British, at the same time expressing their willingness to strive for a peaceful solution. But in spite of all that, continued the Crown Prince, the British insisted and continued to insist on forceful measures. So how, he asked, could the dispute be settled in such an atmosphere?

Mr. Dulles said he would like to remind Prince Saud again that it was not true to say the U.S. had deserted Saudi Arabia. Prince Saud did not know of the endeavors America had made and the influence used with the British in attempting to reach a peaceful solution, he continued. It was his understanding, he said, that the King had submitted to the British a strong suggestion for solution of the dispute; and he reiterated that the U.S. would continue to use her influence to bring about an acceptable settlement. Prince Saud said all he wanted was to obtain a peaceful result, but the British would never hesitate to continue use of aggressive action. Mr. Dulles inquired what His Highness would suggest the U.S. do? Prince Saud replied all he wanted was that America use her influence with the British to stop their aggressive action, withdraw their forces, discontinue the siege of the country, and stop terrorism in order that the dispute could be solved in a friendly atmosphere. Supposing that America requested the British to do these things but that the British would not comply, what should we do then? Mr. Dulles inquired. Prince Saud ignored the question and said in view of the considerations discussed, it was requested that the U.S. live up to her promises and obligations. If the British were claiming that they are defending the Buraimi area on the basis of a request from the Sultan of Muscat (on the basis of an agreement concluded between them and the Sultan), continued the Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia expected at least that America would fulfill its promises and stop British aggression against Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Dulles said he would not like to miss this chance to comment and state that America had not failed in her obligation, because she had used influence with the British. President Truman’s letter stated that any aggression against Saudi Arabia would be of concern to the U.S., he continued, and this was the fact. The existing dispute was of concern to the U.S. at this time. However, the letter did not say that America had to engage in war with Britain under the circumstances of such aggression as Saudi Arabia claimed. Mr. Dulles asked Prince Saud to tell him frankly whether it was in the interest of America and Saudi Arabia that America engage in war with Britain? The Crown Prince replied by asking whether it was in the interest of America that the British take aggressive action against Saudi Arabia? Mr. Dulles said no. Prince Saud then asked what the solution would be in case of such aggression? Mr. Dulles said if His Highness were to go on a tour around the world, he would learn that there were about 25 cases like Buraimi. All were boundary disputes. If these cases were to be determined by war, he continued, then the result would be that the world would be destroyed. The Crown Prince then asked Mr. Dulles what course Saudi Arabia should follow in order to maintain her rights and honor? Mr. Dulles replied that such disputes could be settled by legal arbitration. At the same time, there must be a stand-still policy in order that neither of the two groups would take advantage of the other during the period of arbitration. He added that the U.S. was directing its policy toward this aim. Prince Saud said this was an acceptable idea, and that Saudi Arabia was ready, in case it were proved that she was using forceful measures to stop such measures. But if the other side were using such forceful measures, they must be stopped. Mr. Dulles said that according to his information, the British were not using such aggressive measures. He went on to say that this was not the only case in which the U.S. had this difference of views with Britain, and the United States could not be sure the British would accept suggestions. In the House of Commons there was criticism of American policy. Prince Saud inquired what the attitude of the U.S. would be if the British refused a suggestion? Mr. Dulles replied that, in such a case, the U.S. should not enter into a war against the British; a war with Britain would be a great catastrophe. The Prince said he did not want a war with Britain, all he wanted was that the U.S. stop Britain from aggressive action. Mr. Dulles said he believed there was still a chance to settle this problem by cordial and peaceful means, and he would not fail to exert his efforts to bring about a friendly solution. He added that he would continue to study the matter and report on it to his Government, and that at the same time he would continue his efforts with the British to effect a peaceful solution.

The Crown Prince inquired what the U.S. attitude would be if the British persisted in their aggressive attitude? Mr. Dulles replied that was a question he could not answer, because according to the U.S. Constitution, in order to engage in war Congress must make the decision; and he could not make any promises. At the same time, he pointed out, President Truman’s letter only stated that in case any aggressive action were taken against Saudi Arabia, it would be of concern to the U.S. Prince Saud then inquired what the attitude of the U.S. would be if a war were started against Saudi Arabia? Mr. Dulles replied that he could do nothing without the approval of Congress. He did not expect war by Britain against Saudi Arabia, Mr. Dulles remarked, but in case there were any aggressive action by any enemy against Saudi Arabia, he would present the whole matter to Congress. At the same time, in a case of aggressive action, Saudi Arabia could submit her case to the UN. Prince Saud said he frankly believed that this matter was so tremendously important to Saudi Arabia and the existing situation so dangerous, that these replies were pushing his government to find some other way by which it could maintain its interests. As far as the UN was concerned, he believed the UN had not yet been able to solve its problems. Mr. Dulles said he would like to reassure His Highness that the U.S. was acting with a spirit of friendly ties, especially with Saudi Arabia. It was of mutual interest, he continued, that the activities and endeavors which the U.S. had made not be disclosed lest such disclosure create further reaction from Mr. Churchill. If His Highness could see what had been done and what was being done, he would believe that the U.S. had exerted a real effort for the sake of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince inquired what the result of this effort was in influencing the British? Mr. Dulles replied by stating that he believed up until now the matter was not yet finished.

The Crown Prince said he had expressed himself frankly because he wanted to know clearly the attitude of the U.S. and because he was responsible for his people. Mr. Dulles replied that he had answered with great frankness and that he had nothing to add and nothing to hide, except to say that up until now the U.S. had not disclosed the extent of her efforts and he could not now obligate himself to anything.

Prince Saud said now that he had explained everything, Mr. Dulles might wish to submit the matter to the President, which would give him a chance to submit it to his government; and he would wait for a reply. Mr. Dulles said this situation was very critical and was similar to that in Egypt, although there were no obligations toward Egypt as there were toward Saudi Arabia. He was trying to reach a solution to this dispute, with the understanding that Mr. Churchill was a difficult man to deal with. The Crown Prince said a reasonable and strong man would always try to arrive at an acceptable result. Mr. Dulles said that was true if the man were dealing with a person like His Highness or himself.

Mr. Stassen stated that he knew Mr. Dulles was a man of experience and wisdom in dealing with such subjects and that he was now commencing his study of the subject from all angles in order to reach an acceptable solution. He believed, he said, that his friends in Saudi Arabia would not find in Mr. Dulles negative conclusions. He added that both of them were working for a President who was well known for his experience, foresight, wisdom and special friendly feeling for Saudi Arabia. Mr. Stassen concluded by thanking His Highness for giving him a chance to express his comments. Prince Saud said he was placing great hope on this study, on Mr. Dulles’ wisdom and experience, and on the belief that Mr. Dulles was not deserting his friends. Mr. Dulles replied that after such a day, which was crowded by all these meetings and work which would resume tomorrow, he believed this meeting and these talks were fruitful. The Crown Prince said it was Saudi Arabia’s great hope to come to good results. Mr. Dulles added that at the same time he hoped that the Saudis would continue discussions with the British, and he said he would push the British to come to an acceptable and reasonable solution.

1. This conversation took place at Riyadh.
2. For documentation, see Foreign Relations, 1949, vol. vi, pp. 91 ff.