867N.01/1–748: Telegram
The Ambassador in Egypt (Tuck) to the Secretary of State
21. Was received in audience by King1 yesterday afternoon and with help of carefully prepared notes conveyed to him informally and orally purport your confidential verbatim telegram 1695 of December 26, 5 p. m.2
Farouk listened attentively to points as I developed them and then, with reference to expressed hope that Egypt would set example in restraint, stated there was nothing that he could do, even if he wanted to, to prevail upon other Arab states to curb their proposed action or to influence their attitude. Arab countries, he said, had made firm decision and they intended to carry it out. He added that tenor of my remarks reminded him strangely [strongly?] of what late President Roosevelt had said to him on same subject at time of their meeting on [Page 540] canal in 1945.3 He qualified my remarks as “very optimistic” as to the future particularly in connection with the expressed belief that acquiescence on part of Arab states in UNGA decision on Palestine would remove that area as disturbing influence in international affairs.
He showed interest in the reasons given for US Government support of partition and in assurance that no undue pressure was brought upon other countries by US governmental officials responsible to executive. This latter assurance, he added, was contrary to reliable information which he had previously obtained.
I am forced to the conclusion that our arguments failed to convince him and have in no way changed his views.4
- King Farouk of Egypt.↩
- Foreign Relations, 1947, vol. v, p. 1319.↩
- For documentation on the conversations between President Roosevelt and the monarchs of Egypt, Ethiopia, and Saudi Arabia at Great Bitter Lake, Egypt, in February 1945, see Foreign Relations, 1945, Vol. viii, pp. 1 ff.↩
- On
January 12, Prince Faisal, the Saudi Arabian Minister for Foreign
Affairs, handed to Minister Childs a message to the United States
Government from King Abdul Aziz ibn Saud. He then stated that His
Majesty believes US policy prejudicial both Arabs and US and against
their mutual interests. His Majesty sincerely desires maintain
existing friendly relations between Saudi Arabian Government and US
Government and this motive had inspired His Majesty to communicate
once again with his friends and endeavor further to persuade the US
Government to reconsider its position in this question, in hope US
Government would attentively listen to its sincere friend.”
(Telegram 14, January 13, noon, from Jidda, 501.BB Palestine/1–1348)
The King’s message, in the form of an undated memorandum, was transmitted by Jidda in telegram 15, January 13, 3 p. m., not printed.
↩