Office of the Historian

76. Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between the Under Secretary of State (Ball) and the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Talbot)1

Washington, July 2, 1964, 2:35 p.m.

Ball wanted to mention that Lord Harlech said he was sending down an economic study of the UAR which demonstrates the very great dependence of the UAR on the economic assistance we are giving them and the great value of our leverage. He wanted Talbot to know of this.

Ball voiced concern at the wild statement of Nasser about war being unavoidable with Israel. Talbot mentioned the President called saying he would like to recheck the decision on the loan before it became final. Our present plan is to defer action on this for some time and take a good look at it when the American claims have moved farther along.

  1. Source: Johnson Library, Ball Papers, United Arab Republic. No classification marking. Prepared in Ball’s office.↩