811.20290B/4a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Egypt (Kirk)
1463. Personal for the Minister from the Under Secretary. I am deeply interested in the negotiations about to be undertaken in Cairo with the British authorities by Lieutenant Colonel Hoskins. The projected mission which he has been designated to undertake in certain Arab countries of the Near East has been approved by the Joint Chiefs [Page 36] of Staff and by the Combined Chiefs of Staff and the President has personally expressed his desire that the mission be carried out.25 I hope you will facilitate his negotiations in every way you properly can and I wish you would explain to Casey26 the interest which we here have in the matter. For one reason or another the mission has been delayed for an inordinate period of time and I think it would be highly helpful and very much in the interest of this country if arrangements can be concluded as promptly as possible in order that the mission may get on its way. Please telegraph me of any important developments in regard to the conversations which Hoskins will have. [Welles.]
- The Department of Defense has supplied information to the effect that while JCS and COS approval had been given to the Hoskins visit to Cairo for the purpose of negotiating with British authorities there, no such approval had been given to the projected mission to certain Arab countries of the Near East.↩
- Richard G. Casey, British Minister of State Resident in the Middle East.↩