Your Majesty: Thank you for your messages of February 28 from Cairo and of March 4 from Riyadh and for your courtesy in sending me the memorandum on the proceedings of your recent meetings.1
Events have moved swiftly since these messages were received. I know you will share with me gratification that the withdrawal of Israel from Gaza and Aqaba has now been completed.2 Other serious problems lie ahead. I hope that the Governments of Saudi Arabia and the United States can continue to work closely together to support those measures which may be required, particularly in the United Nations, to meet these problems and to establish that state of quiet which we both desire.
Your Majesty may rest assured that in all of our recent efforts to meet this crisis no part of our recent conversations has been forgotten. The positions of this government which were expressed to you during these conversations and in our recent exchange of messages on Aqaba and Gaza remain the same.3 We agree with Your Majesty on the importance of the establishment of peaceful conditions in Gaza and share your desire for a tranquil border between Israel and Gaza. We hope that the presence of the United Nations Emergency Force in the area will ensure these conditions.
In considering our position with respect to the Gulf of Aqaba, the territorial integrity and security of your Kingdom and the requirement that there be no interference with the travels of pilgrims to the Holy Places are, we recognize, considerations of great importance.4 As you know, however, we believe that ships of all nations should be able to proceed in free and innocent passage through the Gulf in accordance with the accepted principles of international law, as stated by the Government of Egypt in its memorandum to the American Ambassador on January 28, 1950.5
During the course of our recent discussions, we agreed that the establishment and maintenance of close and friendly relations between the United States and the nations of the area must depend upon mutual confidence and trust. Your Majesty expressed appreciation for our explanations of problems which have arisen in our relations with certain other Arab states. We in turn appreciated the manner in which Your Majesty has conveyed these to the other Arab leaders. I hope our exchange of memoranda has served, in part at least, to develop a better understanding.
From the latest Cairo memorandum it would appear there are still differences between us on certain of these issues. Most of these have been covered in our previous exchanges and in our reply to the earlier Four-Power memorandum.6 Your Majesty will recall, I am sure, our reviewing with you the history of our discussions with Egypt in the matter of arms purchases in the United States. I can assure you that there has never been a refusal on our part to supply arms to Egypt.
In the months to come, the United States will continue to hope for a more complete understanding with the Arab states on many of the matters raised in this exchange of memoranda and on others. The United States Government desires close and friendly relations with all of the Arab states on the basis of full recognition of the integrity and sovereignty of independent nations. In our efforts to move forward toward a close relationship with these states and to achieve an era of stability, I am pleased that we can count on Your Majesty's friendship and understanding. Your Majesty may be assured, on our part, that the United States Government will keep the Government of Saudi Arabia appropriately informed of any important developments which may arise or be contemplated in order that we may be continually aware of each other's views on issues of vital importance to the area.
Your Majesty's oral invitation to the Vice President to visit Saudi Arabia is very much appreciated. I regret that his very full schedule and the necessity for him to return to his duties here as soon as possible will not permit him the privilege of partaking of your hospitality.7
May God have you in His safekeeping. Your sincere friend
