Saudi Sheik Snubs Mayor, Boys' Clubs

A Saudi Arabian sheik who has donated sizeable gifts to several Florida cities and recently offered a Pennsylvania town &3 million to vote against President Reagen in 1984 failed to appear Thursday day at a meeting scheduled with Mayor Alfred E. Vellecci at which he was give $150,000 to the city's Boys' and girls Clubs, It was learned last night.

In protest of the snubbing. Vellucci has sent a letter to King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and several Massachusetts Congressmen complaining about the poor treatment the city received from Sheik Mohammed Fassi.

Vellucci said last night he also plans to urge Saudis living in Cambridge to write their government "demanding an apology, because they still have to live here. "He added that he hopes to disuse a Congressional resolution asking the Saudi government to investigate the incident with Sen Paul Tsongas who will visit his office this afternoon.

In the letter Vellucci states that Fassi as "done me dirt," adding that the people of Cambridge thing that his excellency Dr sheik Mohammed Al-Fassi was representing king Fahd and the Saudi Arabia government.

Fassi originally contained his office about the visit while "We were busy in our City Hall trying to figure out our heating oil budget. "Vellcci states in the letter. He adds that the Sheik "called hour office time again to confirm, reconfirm and then reconfirm his visit."

Vellucci said in an interview last night that in addition to arranging a luncheon at the Faculty Club at which the sheik was to give a check to go to building a permanent clubhouse for the Boys' Club, his office secured limousines for Fassi's entourage. He said the incident was particularly embarrassing because the gift had already been announced to the club members.

According to publish reports Fassi was summoned back to his country after offering the citizens of midland, Pa.. cash for their votes in the 1984 presidential election an apparent violation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

In the letter vellucci states that Fassi never even call to notify as that his visit was to be cancelled.

Matter of Degree

It was also rumored that Fassi would give an additional $150,000 to Harvard in what he told reporters was an effort to "buy myself an honorary degree."

David M. Rosen, the University's director of governmental public relations, said last night he had heard widely circulated reports, but added that Fassi "never contacted anyone in the University and made no arrangements to come to Harvard."