Relations between Saudi Arabia and the USA

This file concerns relations between Saudi Arabia and the US. It contains correspondence on:

• The meetings of the Saudi-American Business Round Table with Crown Prince Abdulla Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
• The US decision to withdraw its proposed sale of Stinger missiles to Saudi Arabia and Jordan, including the reaction of Prince Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud as reported in the Arab News
• A press statement by the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Saud Bin Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud expressing the hope that the US will not move its Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem
• The claim of Crown Prince Abdulla that he had a long discussion with the Soviet Ambassador in London
• The news that Saudi Arabia have decided to cancel the contract for the supply of F5 aircraft to Bahrain as they do not want currently to purchase American aircraft, but are still willing to supply another aircraft, and would be open to British offers
• The perception that Saudi Arabia is seeking to distance itself from the US and to strengthen their relations with other Western countries, and the UK's hopes that this will provide defence sales opportunities
• Saudi hopes that the European Economic Community will exert pressure on the US to moderate its policy towards Israel
• The Saudi reaction to the re-election of President Ronald Reagan and its implications for US involvement in the Middle East
• The visit of US Defence Secretary Caspar Weinberger to Saudi Arabia
• An agreement between Saudi Arabia and the US that US Forces will be permitted to use Saudi bases only in the event of a specific threat requiring their assistance.