President Nixon met with Saudi Prince Sultan ibn Abd al-Aziz, along with Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird and Alexander Haig, to solidify the strategic security partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia. The discussion focused on regional stability, particularly the need for military cooperation between Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Kuwait to counter subversive threats from Iraq. The meeting concluded with a commitment to the ongoing Saudi military modernization program, including the F-5 aircraft contract and naval equipment, reinforcing a mutual desire for regional peace and security.
On June 15, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Sultan ibn Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, Ibrahim al-Sowayel, Melvin R. Laird, Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Camile Nowfel, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 3:04 pm to 3:45 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 735-014 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 735-014
Date: June 15, 1972
Time: 3:04-3:45 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Sultan ibn Abd al-Aziz, Ibrahim al-Sowayel, Melvin R. Laird, Alexander
M. Haig, Jr., and Camile Nowfel.
[Members of the press and the White House photographer were present at the beginning of the
meeting.]
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[Previous National Security (B) withdrawal reviewed under MDR guidelines case number
LPRN-T-MDR-2014-009. Segment partially declassified with 25m41s cleared for release and
15m06s remains exempt as 735-014-w001 per Executive Order 13526 50x6, on 11/17/2017.
Archivist: DR]
[National Security]
[735-014-w001]
[Duration: 25m 41s]
Introductions
Seating
Photographs
Sultan's meeting with Laird
General conversation
Mrs. Nixon’s forthcoming trip to Texas
The President’s conversation with Melvin R. Laird
-Official United States [US] position of support
-Saudi Arabia’s difficulties in Middle East
The President’s conversation with the Shah of Iran
-Iran’s relationship with Saudi Arabia
Iraq
-Dangers to confront
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, oil producing countries, Jordan
-Importance to security
Jordan
-Support from Saudi Arabia and Iran
-King Hussein I
-Abilities
-Survival
Saudi-U.S. Relations
-Message from King Malik Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz al-Saud
-Well wishes
-The President’s efforts for peace
-United States [US] position in the world
-President Nixon synonymous with peace
-Saudi Arabian relations
-Iran
-Jordan
-Kuwait
-Friendship with most Middle East countries
-Bahrain
-Future visit by William P. Rogers
-Base
-Planned Naval usage
-Melvin R. Laird's previous meeting with Sultan
-Development of Saudi military
-Training
-Equipment
-Sultan’s meeting with Melvin R. Laird and service secretaries
-United States [US] support
-F-5 program
-United States [US] support
-Department of Defense [DoD] contract
-Military cooperation among Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran
-Iraq
-Support of subversive elements
-Saudi relations with Iran
-Faisal
-Borders
-Saudi Relations with Kuwait
-Borders
-Land and sea
-Territory ceded to Kuwait
-Policy of Saudi Arabia
-Peace
-Building not destroying
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[National Security]
[735-014-w001]
[Duration: 15m 06s]
SAUDI ARABIA
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
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Saudi-United States [US] Relations
-Maintain close ties
-Message from King Faisal
-Invitation from Melvin R. Laird
-Well wishes of health and success
-Mutual concerns
-Peace and stability and security in Middle East
-Well wishes to American people
-The President’s response to Faisal
-Haig
-Saudi policies
-Friendship and cooperation with United States [US]
-Possible visit to Saudi Arabia by the President
-Laird's visit
-King Faisal
-Invitation to Laird and the President
-Prince Fahd
-Personal greetings
-Sultan's gifts to the President and family
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Sultan ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, al-Sowayel, Laird, Haig, and Nowfel left at 3:45 pm.This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.