290. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia1
209305. 1. Ambassador requested immediately deliver to King Faisal following personal message from President Johnson dated June 8:
“Your Majesty:
In the light of my own high regard for Your Majesty, as well as the long-standing close and cordial relations between our two governments, I want to assure that you are fully informed regarding the views and policies of my government at this delicate juncture in the history of the Near East.
The United States Government had been engaged for several weeks in the strenuous attempts to reduce tensions in the Near East when, despite our best efforts, hostilities broke out on June 5 on a broad front. We had been in close touch with the parties and had received no indication that such fighting was in prospect. It is not clear to us how it started.
In this situation, the policy of the United States must be to seek urgently for concerted action through the United Nations to bring about an end to the current hostilities. We are bending all our efforts to this end. Far from seeking to become involved in this new conflict, we are doing our best to stop it. In so doing, we will strive to steer an even-handed course. Our sole endeavor will be to seek the earliest feasible return to peaceful conditions so that the underlying problems of the region can be addressed in relative calm.
As the situation evolves, I realize that we may not always see eye to eye on every issue. I recognize the imperatives of your position, just as I hope you will recognize those that govern our own. We continue to support the integrity and independence of all states involved in the current hostilities. We are opposed to efforts to change frontiers or resolve problems by force of arms. But this is not favoritism for any single state in the region, it is simple realism. The purpose of the United States Government must remain the prevention and limitation of hostilities which otherwise might well expand outside the Near East. Such has been our settled policy under four Administrations of both political parties since the end of World War II.
[Page 557]At the same time I want to assure Your Majesty that it will be my firm determination that events in the present crisis not be permitted to affect the long-standing interest of the United States Government in the closest possible relations with the Government of Saudi Arabia. I hope that Your Majesty will understand and appreciate the current efforts of the United States for peace within this unchanging context. It would be tragic if misunderstandings between us, or ill-conceived efforts on the part of others, were to weaken the enduring relationship between our two countries from which both have derived such benefit for so long.
In this connection, I want to give Your Majesty my own solemn assurances that the charges being circulated in the Near East alleging that the United States has given military support to operations against the Arab countries in this crisis is totally false. I deeply regret that some of our Arab friends have seen fit to break diplomatic relations with us, particularly in view of the groundless nature of the charges and because of the urgent need for us to remain in close communication with all sides in the present difficult situation. You will have seen that my Ambassador to the United Nations has publicly invited the UN to send investigators to the 6th Fleet to establish for themselves the baselessness of these accusations.
I must tell Your Majesty frankly that I have been disturbed at reports on June 7 of mob action against American citizens in Dhahran. My Ambassador, Mr. Eilts, in whom I have the fullest confidence, has reported to me the assurances given by you and your senior officials that adequate protection will be afforded for all citizens.2 I welcome this consideration and assure you that it is not my desire to take any action which would focus attention on your problems.
In this difficult time, I take comfort from the continued maintenance of cordial relations between us and our two Governments. As a continuation of our friendly talks in Washington a year ago, I would of course consider most carefully any views which you might wish to send me on the current situation. Meanwhile, Ambassador Eilts has [Page 558] been instructed to remain in particularly close contact with your Government throughout the present crisis. If God wills, the fighting will soon stop, now that the Security Council has acted, so that we may address the underlying problems of peace and development in a more normal atmosphere.
All best personal regards,
Sincerely, Lyndon B. Johnson”
2. In delivering foregoing, you should suggest that USG desires ensure privacy this message and any subsequent exchange. You may add orally that Dept has instructed you make clear continued interest highest levels USG in maintaining closest contacts with His Majesty and top level SAG officials throughout the present critical period.3
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POLSAUD-US. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Brewer on June 5, cleared by Battle and Bromley Smith, and approved by Secretary Rusk.↩
- In telegram 5119 from Jidda, June 7, Eilts reported that he had seen Saqqaf at the Foreign Office to inform him of the attack that day on the U.S. Consulate General in Dhahran and to request immediate and adequate protection. Saqqaf expressed the Saudi Arabian Government’s regrets at the incident and telephoned Minister of the Interior Prince Fahd, who said that the demonstrations had already been stopped and the ringleaders apprehended. Eilts told Saqqaf he had received instructions to begin evacuation of U.S. dependents and non-essential personnel and to advise private citizens to leave as soon as possible. Saqqaf had been deeply disturbed and reiterated his assurance that American citizens were in no danger. (Ibid., POL 23-8 SAUD) In telegram 5124 from Jidda, June 7, Eilts reported that Prince Mishal, Governor of Mecca, had called on him, saying that King Faisal and Prince Fahd had instructed him to express their deep regrets over the attack on the Consulate. (Ibid., POL 27 ARAB-ISR)↩
- In telegram 5180 from Jidda, June 9, Eilts reported that he had asked Saqqaf to arrange an audience for him in Riyadh to deliver the President’s letter to King Faisal. Saqqaf had advised that in the present “somewhat confused situation” it would be better if he sent the letter to the King by special messenger. He thought it likely that Faisal would come to Jidda before long and would want to see the Ambassador there. Eilts said he had deferred to Saqqaf’s judgment, but asked that the King be informed that he was ready to see him in Riyadh or anywhere else at any time. (Ibid.)↩