Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

883.20/8–3049: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Holmes) to the Secretary of State

top secret

London, August 30, 1949—7 p. m.

3467. Embtel 2947 July 26,¹ repeated Cairo as 102.

1. Maitland, African Department, said today Anglo-Egyptian military talks are now in quiescent state, last meeting having taken place August 2. He did not feel there would be any resumption full-scale talks until after Egyptian elections, which he felt would not take place until December at earliest.

2. Maitland stated secret nature of talks has been well kept and that only about half dozen Egyptians know details, although others may have some indication.²

Sent Department 3467, repeated Cairo 123.

Holmes

1. Not printed.
2. Cairo, on December 21, advised of information from the Prime Minister that there were no plans for Egyptian political leaders to meet with Mr. Bevin when he passed through Egypt near the end of December and that even informal negotiations with the British were out of the question until a new Cabinet took office after the coming elections (airgram 1373, 883.00/12–2149).