PRESIDENTIAL LETTER TO KING FAISAL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 20
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: December 20, 2012
• Sequence Number: 24
• Publication Date: August 7, 1973
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
w-l\alSA review completecliANDUM ip
IIP
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL ACTION 4288X
?S-EQ-12X--T-4SENSITIVE (XGDS)
MEMORANDUM FOR: DR. KISSIN ER
114
FROM: HAROLD H. SAUNDERS
WILLIAM B. QUANDT
SUBJECT:
August 7, 1973
Presidential Letter to King Faisal
DOS Review
Completed.
Secretary Rogers has prepared a memorandum for the President
[Tab C] recommending that a letter be sent to King Faisal to reassure
him that we remain interested in working toward an Arab-Israeli
settlement. In view of Faisal's recent public statements on using
Saudi oil to bring about a change in US Middle East policy, Secretary
Rogers feels that a letter from the President will help to convince
Faisal not to use oil as a political weapon. [For your information,
at Tab D is a memo on future Saudi oil production.] The proposed
letter would also seek to explain why the US vetoed the recent resolu-
tionon the Middle East in the United Nations.
We see this letter somewhat differently. As part of our broad effort
to strengthen our position in that part of the world, we need to shore
up our relationship with Saudi Arabia. We are in good shape with Iran
and in reasonably good -shape with Jordan and Pakistan. What we need
to do now is to revitalize our relationship with the Saudis. That requires
two things: (1) increased cooperation with the Saudis on common security
concerns within the Peninsula and (2) making clear our view that Saudi
as well as US interests will be best served if Faisal can avoid committing
his policies too heavily to producing an Arab-Israeli solution. For this
reason, we would make this less an Arab-Israel letter than a letter about
Saudi and regional security.
You have already agreed to the idea of sounding out Piince Fahd about a
visit to the United States. Fahd, as you know, has gone to considerable
lengths to tell us that Saudi Arabia has no intention of using oil against
our interests. His most recent cprmnunication in this regard [Tab B]
XGDS-3
?DECLAS-Impossible to Determine Date.
BYAUTH- Dr. Henry A. Kissinger
S.,F,C-RVI/SENSITIVE (XGDS)
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
6
,
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
tb-
IP
SECRET/SENSITIVE (XGDS) - 2 -
emphasizes that King FaisaPs public remarks should be understood
in terms of Saudi Arabia's need to resist radical pressures and to
win Egyptian friendship./
In Secretary Rogers' memo, the suggestion
is made that when Ambassador Thacher presents the President's
letter to King Faisal, he should also extend an invitation to either
Prince Fahd or Prince Sultan to visit the United States to carry on
US-Saudi political discussions. We will make sure that any formal
invitation to Fahd through State channels is consistent with Fahd's
preferences on how this should be handled with King Faisal.
We feel a letter is desirable, but would suggest one major substan-
tive change from the State draft. Where State feels we should defend
our recent use of the veto at the UN, we would suggest explaining
how we hope to work toward an Arab-Israeli peace settlement. The
letter prepared for the President's signature embodies this approach
instead of State's. Sisco has no problem with the changes.
RECOMMENDATION: That you send the memorandum at Tab A to
the President seeking his signature on a letter to King Faisal. The
letter as prepared for the President's signature includes our changes.
Approve. [Text cleared by Mr. Gergen's office.]
Other revisions as indicated.
SECRET/SENSITIVE (XGDS)
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
25X1
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
'MEMORANDUM up
1111
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
SECRET/SENSITIVE (XGDS)
MEMORANDUM FOR: THE PRESIDENT
FROM: HENRY A. KISSINGER
SUBJECT: Letter to King Faisal
ACTION
4288X
We are periodically made aware of King Faisal s concern over lack
of progress toward an Arab-Israeli settlement. Recently the King
has publicly hinted that future Saudi Arabian oil production may be
linked to such progress and a change in US Middle East policy. At
the same time, we have been told privately by Prince Fahd that
Saudi Arabia has no intention to use oil as a political weapon and looks
forward to the closest possible cooperation with the United States.
The State Department has recommended that you. send King Faisal a
letter addressing some of itib puilliecti ecuieurn.6. I agree that. alio
would be useful. In addition, I feel we should invite Prince Fahd to
visit the United States 'sometime in the next few months. We are
exploring this possibility now.
King Faisal attaches great importance to communicating directly with
you, and this seems to be an appropriate time to send him a personal
letter which would address three substantive points:
--Our belief that regional cooperation offers the best prospect
for insuring the stability and progress of the states in the Arabian
Peninsula-Persian Gulf region.
--Our desire to work with the Saudis as they seek productive
outlets for tlie revenue generated by oil production.
XGDS-3
DECLAS-Impossible to Deterxnine Date.
BYAUTH-Dr. Henry A. Kissinger
SECRET/SENSITIVE (XGDS)
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
,
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
IP
SECRET/SENSITIVE (XGDS)
--Our preferred approach in working toward an Arab-Israeli
settlement.
? RECOMMENDATION: That you sign the attached letter to King Faisal.
[Text cleared with Mr. Gergen's office.]
SECRET/SENSITIVE (XGDS)
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
? THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Your Majesty:
As Your Majesty is aware, I have recently completed
extensive discussions with General Secretary Brezhnev
and with the Shah of Iran. These discussions naturally
touched, among other things, on the situation in your
region of the world. Because of Saudi Arabia's impor-
tance as a friend of the United States, I would like to
share with Your Majesty my present thoughts on these
matters which I know are also of great concern to you.
We are agreed, I am certain, that a strong, stable and
secure Sandi Arabia is essential to the stability of the
Arabian Peninsula area. I can assure Your Majesty of
the constancy of our strong interest in Saudi Arabia's
security and welfare. Our recent statement of willing-
ness to sell F-4 Phantom aircraft whenever your air,
force is ready to receive them is, as Your Majesty knows,
only one part of our continuing aecurity progrims in
Saudi Arabia designed to help modernize and fully equip
the Kingdom's armed forces.
As a complement to our direct concern for Saudi Arabia's
own security and welfare, we are keenly aware that this
security is enhanced when the stability of neighboring
states is assured. This is why we value cooperation with
Your Majesty's government in efforts to support North
Yemen and Oman in the face of Communist-supported
subversion. The role of Saudi Arabia in helping the states
on its borders to maintain their independence and integrity
is of great importance in achieving this objective, and the
United States is prepared to do all it can in helping to
strengthen the Kingdom in this role. Your Majesty's
leadership is essential in this effort.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
IP
Beyond the Peninsula itself, I believe we are agreed on
the importance of strengthening cooperation among all
those governments which can contribute to the stability
not only of the Peninsula but of the area surrounding it.
As Your Majesty knows, our relationships with Jordan
and Iran and our new cooperation with Kuwait are
directed to this goal. It is in this context, too, that the
United States welcomes Your Majesty's close relation-
ship with President Sadat and has agreed that the reduc-
tion in the Soviet presence in Egypt was a positive devel-
opment.
In addition to our direct concern for Saudi Arabia's
security and welfare, we also are interested in cooper-
ating with the oil-producing states of your region to
assure a reliable flow of energy to oil-importing coun-
tries. We are aware of your concern, first conveyed by
Yemir Majesty's Petroleum Minister, Shaykh Ahmad Zaki.
Yamani, that continued tensions in the Middle East could
affect Saudi Arabia's ability to fulfill its unique role in
meeting world energy needs. We are also fully aware of
Saudi Arabia's desire to use its growing oil income to
diversify its economy and to find productive investments.
We see Saudi Arabia on the threshold of a period of great
economic growth and development and I believe American
technica1 and managerial experience could make a signifi-
cant contribution to your objectives. It is vital for the
stability of Saudi Arabia and of the region that economic
progress proceed uninterrupted, and I am pleased that a
number of American firms are studying possible joint
ventures which would help diversify Saudi Arabia's economy
and make use of available energy and other resources. We
are giving these companies every appropriate encourage-
ment.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
IP
Peace in, the Middle East is, of course, central to the
stability and progress of the entire area. The pursuit
of peace in the Middle East is a high priority for the
United States, not only because it would facilitate the
common pursuit of the interests we share with our
friends in the area, but also because it is crucial to
the structure of global peace that we have been striving
to build. As Your Majesty knows, the United States is
actively engaged in trying to establish the conditions
under which progress-toward a negotiated peace in the
Middle East may be possible. This requires first of all
that the ceasefire be maintained, since a renewal of
hostilities would gravely damage the prospects for a
political settlement. I have appreciated Your Majesty's
efforts to convey to President Sadat the need for con-
tinued restraint in this difficult period.
Second, we believe the United States has a role to play
in promoting peace between the Arab states and Israel.
We believe we can work most effectively through private,
but persistent, diplomatic exchanges with all parties.
This process requires patience and the development of
an understanding of the interests of all those involved.
At times, in order to preserve our capacity to take an ?
effective part in these private exchanges, we are obliged
to refrain from adopting public positions, as in the
United Nations, which might jeopardize our role. I realize
that this is difficult for our Arab friends to understand. I
can assure Your Majesty that the United States has every
interest in helping bring, about a just and lasting peace in
the Middle East and will continue its efforts to achieve
that goal.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
l?
1
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
As you know, UN Secretary General Waldheim hag
indicated his readiness to engage himself more actively
in the Middle East problem. My Government has both
welcomed and encouraged this development. We want
to stay in close touch with Your Majesty as this situation
develops.
It is my strong hope that in the period ahead we can find
ways to continue to work even more closely together
?to advance our mutual interests and to promote peace,
stability, and orderly progress in the Middle East. As
we develop new areas of cooperation, which reaffirm
the close relationship between our two countries, we can
continue to advance these important goals.
Sincerely,
His Majesty
Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz al-Saud
King of Saudi Arabia
Taif
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
25X1
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
25X1
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
25X1
No Objection to Declassification in Part2013/10/29 : LOC-HAK-37-5--2-419 7313890
THE SECRETARY OF STATE
WASHINGTON
SECRET/EXDIS July 31, 1973
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Subject: Letter to King Faisal of Saudi Arabia
We have recently received new signals of King
Faisal's frustration over the lack of any movement on
the Arab-Israel issue: On July 4 in an impromptu .inter-
view with foreign newsmen, including two American
journalists, the King for the first time expressed
personally in public his view that cooperation with
the U. S. in such areas as increasing Saudi oil pro-
duction will be difficult unless U. S. Middle East
policy, as seen through Arab eyes, becomes more
balanced. In an interview with the National Broad-
casting Company filmed on July 19 for use in a
documentary to be released early in September, Faisal
went on record as saying that Saudi Arabia will be
obliged to limit its supply of oil to the U. S. unless
we alter our policy toward Israel and the Arabs.
We are considering steps, including the possibility
of sending a high-level mission, to seek inter alia
to persuade Faisal of the seriousness of our desire
and efforts to facilitate concrete progress toward an
honorable settlement. We are also considering how
best to be responsive to Saudi Arabia's desire for
economic diversification and investment of its capital
surpluses to justify continued increases in oil produc-
tion. Given Faisal's present state of mind and Saudi
Arabia's growing inability to absorb its rising oil
revenues, the King could at some point decide that
some limitation on Saudi oil production is desirable.
This would have a disruptive effect on the world energy
picture.
SECRET/EXDIS
GDS--DECLAS Dec. 31, 1981
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
SECRET/EXDIS
-2-
Therefore, we think it is important at this time
that Faisal be given a feeling that he is being heard
and that he is in communication with us. We believe
this can best be accomplished by your sending him a
letter which (a) reiterates your interest in making
progress on the Arab-Israel issue; (b) reminds him of
what we have done and are prepared to do.to preserve
our mutual interests in the Peninsula; and (c) expresses
our wish to deepen our political and economic dialogue.
We believe that a message at this time is particularly
desirable because Faisal is undoubtedly disturbed over
our veto on July 26 of the draft resolution before the
United Nations Security Council.
Ambassador Thacher expects to have an audience
shortly with King Faisal to present a moon rock sample.
We believe this would be a good opportunity for him to
deliver this letter. The letter would help pave the
way for any initiative we may decide to takefl at a later
date to send a high-level mission to Saudi Arabia. We
would also ask Ambassador Thacher to convey an oral
message from you inviting Faisal's comments on the
matters touched in your letter and indicating that you
would be happy to receive one of Faisal's senior
deputies, such as Prince Fahd or Prince Sultan, at .a
mutually convenient time in Washington. Both Fahd
and Sultan have called on you before and either would,
we believe, welcome this opportunity if Faisal's per-
mission is forthcoming.
Accordingly, I have attached a suggested draft
letter from you to Faisal and a separate message to
Ambassador Thacher conveying an oral message to Faisal.
Wil
Attachments:
1. Draft letter to King Faisal,
2. Suggested draft telegram.
SECRET/EXDIS
I a
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
IP
SECRET/EXDIS
SUGGESTED LETTER
Your Majesty:
Knowing of Your Majesty's great concern which is
also my concern, about the continuing crisis in the
Middle East, I want to share with you my current views
on the situation in your region.
Peace in the Middle East is of the highest
importance to the United States, both because peace
would facilitate the common pursuit of the interests
we share with our friends in the area and also because
it is central to the structure of global peace that
we have been striving to build over the past years.
The United States is actively engaged in trying to
establish the conditions in which. progress toward a
negotiated peace in the Middle East which will be both
just and lasting, may be possible. This effort requires
patience and realism on all sides. It requires that the
ceasefire be maintained, since a renewal of hostilities
would gravely damage the prospects for a political
settlement. I have appreciated Your Majesty's efforts
to convey to President Sadat the need for continued
patience in this difficult period.
His Majesty
Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz Al-Saud,
King of Saudi Arabia,
Taif.
SECRET/EXDIS
GDS--DECLAS Dec. 31, 1981
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
. 41,
SECRET/EXDIS
-2-
It is a source of genuine regret to us, as I am
certain it is to Your Majesty, that despite our best
efforts, the recent discussions in the United Nations
Security Council did not lead to an outcome which the
United States could support. Our decision was a diffi-
cult one and not taken lightly. It was our considered
judgment, however, that to have done otherwise would
have jeopardized future opportunities for progress
toward a just settlement under Security Council Resolution
242 and for us to play a responsible role in working
for such a settlement. As you know, UN Secretary General
W=1,1hc4m has indicaLd his readiness to engage himself
more actively in the Middle East problem. My govern-
ment has both welcomed and encouraged this development.
We want to stay in close touch with Your Majesty as the
situation develops.
I realize that stability and progress In the Middle
East do not depend solely on the achievement of an Arab-
Israel settlement. They also require cooperation among
the states of the region. The United States is actively
seeking to strengthen its ties with its friends in the
area and to work with them to promote re4ional.peace and
SECRET/EXDIS
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
IIF '
SECRET/EXDIS
- 3 -
security. We are particularly conscious of the contri-
bution Saudi Arabia can make in your area and we are
anxious to have a close and friendly dialogue with all
levels of your government as has been our practice.
The United States shares a common interest with the
oil-producing states of your region in assuring a reliable
flow of oil to the oil-importing countries. We are aware
of your concern, first conveyed by Your Majesty's Petroleum
Minister, Shaykh Ahmad Zaki Yamani, that continued tensions
in the Middle East could affect Saudi Arabia's ability to
fulfill its unique role in meeting world energy needs.
Minister Yamani noted the political, economic and
security problems which Saudi Arabia faces in meeting
the constantly rising demands for its petroleum. We,
too have been devoting much thought to these matters.
The United States shares a common interest in
Saudi Arabia's security and welfare which I and my
predecessors have communicated to Your Majesty over, the
years. I can assure you of the constancy of our policy
in this regard. We have under continuing review our
security programs in Saudi Arabia in order to help
modernize and equip the Kingdom's armed forces. Recently,
SECRET/EXDIS
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
IIP
SECRET/EXDIS
-4-
we arranged for an emergency airlift of munitions for
your F-5 aircraft. More recently, we informed your
government of our willingness to sell F-4 Phantom air-
craft whenever your air force is prepared to receive them.
Minister Yamani also spoke of Saudi Arabia's desire
to use its growing oil income to diversify its economy
and to find productive investments. We see Saudi Arabia
on the threshhold of a period of great economic growth
and development and I believe American technical and
managerial experience could make a significant contribution
to your objectives. I am happy to see that more large
American business firms are looking into the possibilities
of establishing industries in the Kingdom to make use of
its available energy and other resources. We are giving
these companies every appropriate encouragement to do so.
It is my strong hope that in the period ahead we can
find ways to continue to work closely together to advance
our mutual economic interests and to promote peace,
stability, and orderly development in the troubled Middle
East region. Developing new areas of cooperation, which
reaffirm the close relationship between our-two countries,
will contribute significantly to these goal's.
Sincerely,
Richard Nixon
Department of State
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013!i0/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
. ler
SECRET/EXDIS
SUGGESTED DRAFT TELEGRAM
?
.TO: JIDDA
SUBJECT: Presidential Message to Faisal to Send Emissary
REFERENCE: Jidda 2968
FOR AMBASSADOR THACHER
During moon rock presentation when you .deliver letter
from President Nixon to King Faisal (text transmitted
septel), you should also pass the following oral message
to Faisal: QUOTE:
President Nixon would welcome His Majesty's views
on the matters touched upon in his letter. To that end,
if it is agreeable to His Majesty, the President would
be happy to receive one of His Majesty's senior repre-
sentatives such as His Royal Highness Prince Fahd or
His Royal Highness Prince Sultan at any mutually convenient
time. END QUOTE.
SECRET/EXDIS
GDS--DECLAS Dec. 31, 1981
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
INF blb 7314328
DEPARTMENT OF STATE 0,0
SECRET
Washington, D.C. 20520
Aligust 4, 1973
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. HENRY A. KISSINGER
THE WHITE. HOUSE
Subject: Future Saudi Oil Production Under Review
Important talks have been underway in Saudi Arabia
since August 2 between a team representing ARAMCOis
principals and Saudi Oil Minister Yamani and his Imme-
diate subordinates. One of the subjects Yamani has
said he wants to talk about is the level of production.
Yamani has indicated to ARAMCO that the Saudi Government
is concerned about present and projected levels of
production from three points of view. The first is
economic as it relates to the problem of accumulating
excess foreiya exehanye Leerves and the inflationary
impact of rising revenues with quantum jumps in Saudi
oil production. The second is conservation as it
relates to maintaining projected production of light
and low sulphur crudes in certain fields. The third
is political where Yamani is expected to reiterate King
Faisal's warning to ARAMCO on May 2 and again on May 23
that if U.S. policies in the Middle East remain unchanged,
Saudi Arabia will find itself increasingly isolated in
the Arab world which will make it difficult for the
Saudis to cooperate with the U.S. in inceeasing produc-
tion. Reports from ARAMCO of the initial meeting indicate
that Yamani concentrated on political problems.
With Saudi income from oil now well in excess of
the Kingdom's absorptive capacity, there are many voices
in Saudi Arabia that a halt should be put to further
production growth for economic reasons. These voices
are bolstered by others in the Arab world who criticize
Saudi Arabia for not using growth in oil production as
a means of pressuring the U.S. in its 'Middle East
policy. Since this is the first time that the Saudis
SECRET
GDS--DECLAS Dec. 31r 1981
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9
111,
SECRET ,
have,noted that they wanted to discuss production levels
and it comes on the heels of King Faisal's unhappiness
over our July 26 veto of the resolution on the Middle
East in the UN Security Council, we are getting signals
from oil companies that the Saudis may soon take
important policy decisions on future oil production.
Speculation on what the decisions might be range from
holding production to present levels (nearly nine million
barrels a day) until the economy can absorb available
revenues, limiting production growth to 10% a year, and
tying future production growth to joint ventures with
foreign companies which will make use of the large
amounts of gas now being flared.
Saudi Arabia at the present time is in the position
of being the only country in .he world capable of meeting
the continued rapid growth in the Free World's demand
for oil which is rising at an annual rate of between
two and three million barrels per day. Since the
beginning of 1970, Saudi production has nearly trebled
from three million to almost nine million barrels per
day. Saudi Arabia is now the world's largest exporter
and surpassed the Soviet Union this year as the second
icuyebL pLudueL. The increase in 1973 is expected to
be nearly 40% above 1972 production levels. While other
important oil producers such as Iran, Abu Dhabi, Iraq
and Qatar can be expected to increase their production
over the next three years, there is a limit to their oil
resources. They would not be in a position to fill the
gap should the Saudis begin to limit further growth in
their oil production.
? /kJ
Thomas R. Pickering
Executive Secretary
SECRET
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/10/29: LOC-HAK-37-5-24-9