(Japanese Version)

(Arabic Version)

 

The Peace on The Horizon - 75 Years after The World War 2 in the Middle East (2)

 

Prologue（2）

 

002. Summit at Great Bitter Lake of Suez Canal (2/2)

 At the same time President Roosevelt had a diplomatic issue expecting the support of King Abdul Aziz. It was a problem between Jews and Arabs in Palestine. The Balfour Declaration and the Hussein-McMahon agreement, shown to Jewish and Arabs respectively during the World War I, were obviously contradict each other. This has strengthened the independence movement of both sides. Confrontation between the two sides was in deep.

 

But President Roosevelt’s policy was consistent. He supported the immigration and settlement of Jews. Roosevelt sent his signal to Abdul Aziz from time to time prior to their meeting. He asked the advice of the King about how to minimize the collision of Jews and Arabs. The answer of King Abdul Aziz was to stop Jewish immigration to Palestine.

 

Although complicated problems were left in the future, their dialogue itself was very friendly. King Abdul Aziz was a huge man with 1 meter 90 cm in height. He handicapped in his leg by repeated battle in the Arabian Peninsula. He had a charismatic leadership. In addition, he was honest and kept a religious life. Roosevelt felt personal familiarity to Abdul Aziz without prejudice of race and religion.

 

Later, Roosevelt explained this meeting as follows;
"Through discussions with the King of Saudi Arabia, I could get more content from a single meeting than many information by the State Department so far "

 

President Roosevelt, shortly after returning home, died at the age of 63 by heart attack on April 12, 1945 as incumbent president. It was the eve of victory of Allied Forces. The meeting between Roosevelt and Abdul Aziz, so called "West meets East", was the first significance history after World War II.

(To be continued ----)

 

By Areha Kazuya

E-mail: areha_kazuya@jcom.home.ne.jp