711.83/10–1249: Airgram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt
A–581. Department has read with great interest Embassy’s telegram No. 943, October 122 reporting your conversation with King Farouk and believes this frank initial exchange of views will contribute to [Page 1492] forming the basis for a new and improved phase of United States–Egypt relations.
While it is regretted that the King continues to place such emphasis on the Palestine question vis-à-vis US–Egypt relations the theme is well-known and it is assumed that you related to the King the efforts of this Government, in cooperation with the United Nations, to bring about a settlement of the Palestine question. The main concern of this Government is that there should be political and economic stability in the Near East area and it considers an early settlement on the Palestine question as an essential condition to that stability. In further discussions with the King you should emphasize that the self-interest of Egypt as well as of the other countries of the area can best be served by a resolution of the present impasse of the Palestine question.
The following comments and information on certain of the specific points raised by the King may be useful to you:
Training of Students—Training facilities have already been provided by the Air Force for two Egyptian officers in the field of photography and it is understood that the Army now has six Egyptian officers participating in training. Moreover, the Army and the Air Force are now considering the feasibility of providing training for an additional number of Egyptian officers and it is hoped that definite commitments can soon be made. For your information, the Department of Defense is in the process of determining training requirements under the Military Assistance Program and is, therefore, not in a position to make definite commitments at this time on training facilities for countries not included in present legislation.
While you may transmit foregoing information in general way to the Egyptian authorities, Department and Defense Department prefer that any specific information in regard to numbers or other details should be channelled through the Army or the Air Force Attaché to the Egyptian Defense authorities.
[Here follow observations on the resolution by the Security Council on August 11 which provided for the superseding of the truce arrangements, including the provisions with respect to the shipment of war materials, and a partial quotation from Senator Austin’s statement of August 7 that the United States did not intend to contribute to a competitive arms race in the Near East.]
Since the adoption by the Security Council of this resolution, the United States has approved several export licenses for Egypt covering such items as bombardier training planes, spare parts and a small amount of other material. In addition, the retransfer of lend-lease gun parts valued at $350,000 from Great Britain to Egypt has also been approved by the United States as is necessary in such cases.
[Page 1493]The Department was encouraged to note that the King’s attitude at the time of your conversation appeared favorable to the lifting of Egyptian wartime regulations for the Suez Canal. While it is regretted no further developments in this connection have occurred since that time, it is hoped that the Egyptian Government will find means at an early date whereby it can raise the restrictions on the Canal.