741.83/10–147: Telegram
The Ambassador in Egypt (Tuck) to the Secretary of State
1168. I had lengthy interview with Prime Minister yesterday which was my first since his return from Lake Success.
Nokrashi Pasha received me cordially but I felt during our conversation an atmosphere of reserve which I had not hitherto encountered. He expressed gratification his interviews with President, Secretary and Under Secretary Lovett. He felt these exchanges views had been beneficial and that they had afforded him opportunity for better understanding of problems which face our Government. He studiously avoided any reference our failure “support” British thesis at Lake Success but it was evident from his remarks he had hoped for more positive attitude on our part and he had been disillusioned. He seemed share view which is prevalent in Egypt today that US had backed British. I asked him whether his Government had as yet formulated any policy in dealing with present phase of Anglo-Egyptian dispute. He replied that matter was under careful consideration by his Government but said British did not appear at present inclined take any steps towards solution of problem and were calmly sitting on canal awaiting developments. He said he would do all in his power maintain order in country but that temper of population was aroused and it was becoming increasingly difficult restrain public feeling. British, he said, must evacuate Egyptian territory and if they were to make declaration in principle to that effect, details for evacuation could be easily worked out over reasonable period time. It was evident Nokrashi deeply concerned with question public security and he fears that unless there can be some early declaration British intentions, political situation may get out of hand.
Prime Minister then embarked on bitter denunciation of Britain, in particular relation Egypt’s present financial and economic problems. He reminded me England owes this country some 450 million pounds and their failure provide dollars accordance agreement June 30 was creating situation that was adversely affecting whole economy of Egyptian nation. [Here follow details of injury to the Egyptian economy.] [Page 812] All through his remarks I detected resentment that our Government had facilitated British in taking this stand which, in his opinion, was placing strangle hold on economy and finance of Egypt.1
[Here follow discussion of the proposed commercial treaty between the United States and Egypt and a request by the Prime Minister that Ambassador Tuck convey to the United States Government the “deep and sincere gratitude Egyptian Government and people for prompt and generous gesture the US had made connection present cholera epidemic”.]
- Telegram 1182, October 3
from Cairo, reported that on October 2 the British advised the
Egyptian Government that no further dollars would be available to
Egypt in 1947. The Embassy elaborated on the bitterness of Egyptian
officials who believed the United States was disinclined to help
because Egypt was a “British domain”. Ambassador Tuck recommended
the United States do all in its power to help the Egyptians then
facing a critical phase in their national existence. He strongly
urged that immediate consideration be given to four specific
actions, particularly to inform the Egyptians that presentation of
the Egyptian dollar problem would be sympathetically considered in
Washington. (102.1/10–347)
In telegram 1446, October 20, the Department authorized the Embassy to make a general statement to the Egyptian Government that “US Govt sympathetic Egyptian dollar problem.” (102.1/10–347) For the Department’s view on the necessity of increasing the industrialization of Egypt, see p. 546.
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