Grandsons of Former President Roosevelt and King Abdulaziz Set to Celebrate 60th Anniversary of Great Bitter Lake Meeting.

WASHINGTON -- Meeting on February 14, 1945 Marked Official Beginning of Diplomatic Relations Between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia 

February 14, 2005 marks the 60th anniversary of the historic meeting between then President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and King Abdulaziz on board the U.S.S. Quincy in Egypt's Great Bitter Lake in the Suez Canal. This meeting marked the official beginning of diplomatic relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

To recognize the anniversary of this historic meeting, the grandsons of both former leaders will be guests of honor at an inaugural celebration to be held next week in Miami. Hall Delano Roosevelt and Prince Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud will be keynote speakers at the inaugural event, which is being held as a rededication of the spirit of the goodwill between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

According to Hugh Geoghegan, former cultural affairs officer in the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, the historic meeting between King Abdulaziz Al-Saud and President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945 was arranged with every precaution taken for security, since World War II was ongoing and hostilities in the region had not ceased. After much diplomatic correspondence and preparation, both leaders welcomed this opportunity to finally meet and establish a personal friendship and to discuss the major political issues that would concern both their countries in the approaching post-war era.

President Roosevelt sailed on the U.S.S. Quincy on February 11 from the Crimea, after attending the Yalta Conference. On February 9, he had ordered the U.S.S. Murphy to proceed with the "utmost secrecy and dispatch" to Jeddah and to bring King Abdulaziz Al-Saud and his official delegation to join him on the U.S.S. Quincy. Commander Bernard A. Smith took the U.S.S. Murphy south through the Suez Canal after explaining his mission to British canal authorities as "training exercises" in the Red Sea. Cmdr. Smith left Jeddah on February 12 and cruised 800 miles north during February 12-13. The King and his royal entourage camped on the deck, on an oriental rug and pillows beneath a spacious tent, astonishing the British canal officers with this exotic panorama.

The two ships met on the morning of February 14 and the talks between the two leaders began at 10:00 a.m. and ended at 3:30 p.m. with coffee, farewells and an exchange of gifts. In the five and one-half hours spent together, King Abdulaziz and President Roosevelt discussed matters of common concern in a vigorous and open format. Impressed by the King's keen insights and frank advice on a variety of issues, President Roosevelt later reported to the U.S. Congress that he had learned more from King Abdulaziz in five minutes than he could have learned from the exchange of a dozen diplomatic letters.

"Sixty years ago our grandfathers made history with the first-ever meeting between heads of state from our respective countries," Hall Delano Roosevelt explained prior to the anniversary celebration. "I am proud to carry on that tradition of goodwill by joining with Prince Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud next week in recognition of that historic event."

The 60th anniversary celebration event is being hosted by the Friends of Saudi Arabia, an organization aimed at strengthening the foundation of goodwill and mutual understanding between Saudis and their international partners. It will take place at The Ritz Carlton Hotel in Miami's Coconut Grove. Guests will view a documentary archive film of the original meeting. In addition, veterans who served on the U.S.S. Quincy, as well as the U.S.S. Murphy which transported King Abdulaziz to Great Bitter Lake, will be honored.

In addition to the historical significance, the event's emphasis will be on the development of personal contact between Americans and Saudis, including promoting and expanding small and medium size business.

About Friends of Saudi Arabia

Friends of Saudi Arabia (FSA) was launched on January 1, 2005 to establish goodwill between Saudis and their international partners. FSA pursues this objective by organizing and participating in events which offer opportunities for personal interaction, social dialogue, and friendship on projects of mutual interest.

The vision of this organization is to reinforce a strong foundation of goodwill and mutual understanding on the cultural and socio-economic planes between Saudis and their international partners. Its mission is to promote multi-level cultural and socio-economic programs designed to enhance awareness of Saudi society and develop positive relationships on a personal and professional level between Saudis and their international partners.

EDITORS NOTE: High Resolution Historical Photos Available Upon Request.