ARAB-EUROPEAN RELATIONS - Jan. 1 - UK Spy Chiefs Feared US Invasion Of Saudi In 1973.

Files released to the British National Archives under the 30-year rule for classified documents show the UK intelligence agencies believed the US was ready to invade Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to prevent further disruption to oil supplies as Arab states during the October 1973 Arab-Israeli (Yom Kippur) war decided to slash oil exports as a weapon against Israel's OECD allies. The Arab oil weapon, including a complete embargo on the Americans over their support for Israel, caused world oil prices to quaduple by end-1973. In Britain, PM Edward Heath's Conservative government, which adopted a more pro-Arab line, was forced to draw up plans for gasoline rationing after panic buying led to shortages at filling stations. Although the Arab-Israeli war was over after 3 weeks, a secret assessment drawn up for UK government ministers by the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) - including the heads of MI5 and MI6 - concluded the US would rather risk military action than be held to ransom again by the Arabs. The report, dated Dec. 12, 1973 and marked "UK Eyes Alpha", described the seizure of the oil-producing areas in the region as "the possibility uppermost in American thinking".