741.83/3–2447: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom ( Douglas ) to the Secretary of State
1834. Scott-Fox, acting head Egyptian Dept, Foreign Office, in general conversation today raised informally question of whether US would be willing to exert its influence with Egypt Govt to keep Anglo-Egyptian dispute out of SC. He said that now that Egypt have “got what they wanted out of Arab League” he thought Egypt might file its case with SC during next fortnight.
He “was not speaking officially” but he thought time might now be at hand when US, as disinterested but influential power in all UN matters, might tell King Farouk usefully that if Egypt goes to SC, it is in for a rough time and will not receive US support. He thought that it would do no good to talk in this sense to Nokrashy or other Egyptian politicians, who are already “out on a limb”.
Scott-Fox said that there was nothing British could say to Farouk, who was annoyed with British over recent Parliamentary reference to a “minority Govt” in Egypt;1 but Farouk might listen to US and take steps to stop SC move.
2. Speculating in same vein Scott-Fox said that it might be helpful also if personnel US Missions in Arab League countries would indicate informally and socially when question arose that US would not support Egypt in SC. He thought latter might be done without reference to any approach to Farouk, if Department entertained doubts about present being right time for latter move.
Sent Department 1834, repeated Cairo 36.
- Mr. Bevin had stated to the House of Commons on January 27 that “It is unfortunate that in the negotiations [with Egypt] His Majesty’s Government have had to deal with a minority Government.” (Parliamentary Debates, House of Commons, 5th series, vol. 432, col. 620)↩