740.0011 EW Peace/4–1846
Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. David LeBreton of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs
| Participants: | Mahmoud Hassan Pasha, Egyptian Minister |
| Mr. Henderson, NEA94 | |
| Mr. LeBreton, NE |
The Egyptian Minister called on Mr. Henderson on April 17 at 4:00 p.m. to hand him a note, a translation of which is attached hereto,95 relating to Egypt’s claim to a right to present its case in forthcoming negotiations concerning the future of the former Italian colonies in Africa. The note expresses astonishment that Egypt has not already been invited to take part in the conference charged with examining the treaties of peace with Italy, Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria and Finland. The Minister mentioned that identic notes had been sent to the Governments of Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union.
By way of background, Hassan Pasha warned of the dangers of Russian encroachment in the Near East. He mentioned that at San Francisco he had been an outspoken critic of the United Nations Charter, but since the United Nations have come into being he has strongly supported the organization and particularly the United States and Great Britain in their disagreements with the Soviets. USSR wants a foothold in the Mediterranean; in opposing this, Egypt, Great Britain and the United States are all in the same camp. In asking our help, the Minister said that he did so not [Page 70] only in the name of Egypt but for all the others on our side. The fate of the former Italian colonies affects Egypt directly, said Hassan Pasha, mentioning specifically Eritrea, Cyrenaica, and the Jaghbub Oasis which had been separated from Egypt and given to Italy in the days of Britain’s appeasement of Mussolini. He expressed a desire to see the Secretary for a few minutes to pay his respects.
Mr. Henderson replied that he would be glad to take up this matter. He added that although the Secretary was very pressed for time in view of his forthcoming departure for Paris, he would nevertheless be glad to see Hassan Pasha if he possibly could.