867N.01/8–1745
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs (Henderson)
Mr. Mahmoud Fawzi, Counselor of the Egyptian Legation, called this afternoon. He said that he had been sent by his Minister to express concern lest the statements made yesterday by the President with regard to Palestine might indicate a change in policy of this Government which would give rise to great unrest in the Arab world.
He said that his Minister, before reporting the President’s remarks14 to his Government, would appreciate any comments with regard to them or interpretation which the Department could make.
I replied that I was not as yet in possession of any information which would put me in a position to comment upon the President’s remarks or to interpret them. I promised that, in the event I should be able, at a later time, to elaborate on what the President had said, I would be glad to discuss the matter either with the Minister or with him.
Mr. Fawzi said that Egypt was extremely anxious to have close and friendly relations with the United States. At the same time, Egypt was endeavoring to discharge its responsibilities for assisting in maintaining peace in the Near East. In order for Egypt to remain as an effective factor for peace in the Near East, it must continue to possess the confidence of the Arab nations. It sincerely hoped, therefore, that the United States, in determining the policies which it is to pursue in the Near East, would have consideration for the delicate position of Egypt. Under the apparently quiet surface of the Arab world there was intense feeling with regard to the Palestine problem. A sudden move on the part of the great powers prejudicial to Arab interests in Palestine, might well set the Arab world in motion and result in violence on a wide scale.
I promised the Counselor that I would bring his statements to the attention of the appropriate officials of the Department.
- For substance of President Truman’s remarks, see telegram 163, August 18, 5 p.m., to the Consul General at Jerusalem, infra.↩