GREAT AND GOODFRIEND:
I have received the communication
which Your Majesty sent me under date of March 10, 1945, in which you refer to
the question of Palestine and to the continuing interest of the Arabs in
current developments affecting that country.
I am gratified that Your Majesty
took this occasion to bring your views on this question to my attention and I
have given the most careful attention to the statements which you make in your
letter. I am also mindful of the memorable conversation which we had not so
long ago and in the course of which I had an opportunity to obtain so vivid an
impression of Your Majesty's sentiments on this question.
Your Majesty will recall that on
previous occasions I communicated to you the attitude of the American
Government toward Palestine and made clear our desire that no decision be taken
with respect to the basic situation in that country without full consultation
with both Arabs and Jews. Your Majesty will also doubtless recall that during
our recent conversation I assured you that I would take no action, in my
capacity as Chief of the Executive Branch of this Government, which might prove
hostile to the Arab people.
It gives me pleasure to renew to Your
Majesty the assurances which you have previously received regarding the
attitude of my Government and my own, as Chief Executive, with regard to the
question of Palestine and to inform you that the policy of this Government in
this respect is unchanged.
I desire also at this time to send
you my best wishes for Your Majesty's continued good health and for the welfare
of your people.
Your Good Friend,
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
His Majesty
ABDUL AZIZ IBN ABDUR RAHMAN AL FAISAL AL SAUD
King of Saudi Arabia
Riyadh
(1) Department of State Bulletin of October 21, 1945, p. 623.