867N.01/2315

Memorandum by the Deputy Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs (Alling)35

The Egyptian Minister called today and handed me the attached note36 regarding the Palestine question. He indicated that it was along the lines of his recent conversation with the Acting Secretary and he stressed the fact that it was being submitted under instructions from his Government.

I told the Minister that I hoped that he understood that Resolutions adopted in Congress on such matters represented only the views of the legislative branch of the Government and did not necessarily reflect the views of the executive. He said that he himself was quite aware of this fact. He went on to say that nevertheless it was difficult to explain our system of government to the man in the street in Egypt and in nearby countries and when they learned from the Axis radio that some prominent Senator or Representative was advocating action in regard to Palestine, it was naturally assumed that such action represented the views of the United States Government.

The Minister said he would appreciate receiving at our early convenience a reply to the attached aide-mémoire, since his Government was anxiously awaiting our views in this important matter.

  1. Addressed to the Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs and the Under Secretary of State.
  2. Not printed: for annex, see the aide-mémoire of February 24, infra.