The Situation in the Gulf of Aqaba
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP79R00904A000300040003-1
Release Decision:
RIFPUB
Original Classification:
S
Document Page Count:
2
Document Creation Date:
December 9, 2016
Document Release Date:
September 12, 2000
Sequence Number:
3
Case Number:
Publication Date:
July 16, 1957
Content Type:
MF
File:
Attachment | Size |
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CIA-RDP79R00904A000300040003-1.pdf | 83.51 KB |
Body:
Approved For Release 2001/03/04: CIA-RDP79R00904A000300040003-1
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
16 July 1957
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: The Situation in the Gulf of Aqaba
1, King Saud, whose pro-US stand is under attack both
within his own entourage and from the pro-Nasser forces outside
Saudi Arabia,, has been put under considerable pressure by Nasser
on the Aqaba question. The King has responded in such a way as
to show that he accepts Nasser's interpretation of tho issue.
The Saudi argument that the Gulf is a closed "Arab sea" has been
consistently supported by other Arab states, including Jordan
and Iraq, who see it as part of the unresolved Arab-Israel struggle.
For their part, the Israelis have not. changed their contention as
to the international character of the waterway and have since
the Suez crisis proceeded with development of the port and have
increased the volume of shipping and cargo moving through the
Gulf.
2. In view of the US position on the question of freedom of
navigation in the Gulf of Aqaba, the situation is well adapted to
Nasser's use as a rienns of forcing Saud into a position in which
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Approved For Reiesse 2001/03/04: CIA-RDP79R0( 4A000300040003-1
he must publicly make a choice between the Arab cause and
his friendship with the US. The issue has already impeded
US-Saudi negotiations on American grant aid for the Dammam
port and improvement of facilities at Dhahran airport. Saud
has also publicly and privately warned of the depth of his feelings
on the issue, and ordered the suspension of pilgrim traffic
through the Gulf during this year's bnj on grounds of the security
threat posed by the Israeli presence at Elath.
3. The possibility of direct military moves, such as mining
the straits or an attempt to block passage with E,ypt's newly
acquired submarine and other craft, cannot be excluded. It is more
likely that Saud will convene a conference of Moslem states in
order to seek means of protecting the Holy places of Islam. A
conference of this type might proclaim the existence of a
"blockade", a situation which could lead to a serious crisis in-
volving US and other Western interests, as well as possible
Israeli forceful action designed to keep the waterway open.
SH MAN RENT
Assistant Director
National Estimates
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