Several prominent Jews and some of Israel’s best friends In France attended a gala banquet last night for King Khaled of Saudi Arabia who arrived here yesterday on a two-day state visit. The affair honoring the desert monarch was given by President Valery Giscard d’Estaing in the historic Hall of Mirrors in the palace at Versailles. The select list of 150 invited guests included Livier Stirn, the junior Minister in charge of overseas territories, businessman-publisher Jimmy Goldsmith and banker Alec Gersweiler, all of them Jewish.
In addition, there were Alain Poher, president of the Senate, often described as the most ardent friend Israel has in French political circles and a score of lesser officials known for their pro-Israel views. According to official sources, the guest list was shown to the Saudis as a matter of protocol and they raised no objections.
The banquet was followed by a reception attended by more than 1000 people prominent in the arts, business and politics which seemed aimed at emphasizing the high regard France has for its relations with Saudi Arabia.
WILL NOT BUY MIRAGES
But in the official talks that preceded last night’s gala, the Saudi ministers of defense and foreign affairs who are accompanying Khaled disappointed their French hosts by making it clear that they had no intention of buying the advanced Mirage 2000 fighter planes that France is eager to sell. The ministers reportedly explained that the U.S. agreement to supply Saudi Arabia with 60 F-15 jets left them “adequately protected” and that in any event, their agreement with the Pentagon precludes the purchase of more warplanes outside of the U.S.
The Saudis stressed, however, that they want to “keep all options open” and intend to go “full speed ahead” with the implementation of their 1975 agreement with France for the development of the Organization of Arab Industry. Under that agreement, France will supply the technical expertise for the construction of industrial plants in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
The Cairo-based works will soon start producing the French Alpha jet plane for use in combat training and infantry support missions. The factories to be built in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will turn out a large variety of missiles and electronic equipment.
French and Saudi spokesmen said there was an identity of views between the two countries in the political field. However, they said, Saudi Arabia felt that Western Europe should do more to promote a Middle East settlement.
Khaled is due to return to Riyadh tomorrow. His arrival at Orly Airport yesterday was greeted by President Giscard, Premier Raymond Barre and practically the entire French government.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
