740.00119 EW/12–2445: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 26—10:48 a.m.]
7336. Just before end Reparations Conference Egyptian delegate announced he could not sign Final Act of Conference because proposed Egyptian reparations quotas were ridiculously small and failed to recognize part played by Egypt in war.
Quotas proposed for Egypt although small are believed more than just in relation to war effort and war damage of other countries as judged by their submissions of statistical data and other available evidence. Egyptian claim based largely on subsidies to meet increased costs of living. No possibility exists for further increase in Egyptian quotas.
Believe Egypt has much to lose and nothing to gain by refusing participation in Final Act of first successful postwar United Nations conference. If opportunity offers you may wish to present informally to appropriate Egyptian officials considerations along above lines. Believe British Govt may take similar informal steps.
If possible Egyptian agreement to sign Conference Final Act should be notified before January 5 when text of Final Act will be released to press.
Sent Cairo as 33; repeated Dept 7336 (Angell No. 197).