867N.00/11–2349: Telegram
The Ambassador in Egypt (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
1094. Mytel 1060 November 14.1 Hassan Youssef told me last night that Shirine gave him Sassoon’s letter which he gave to the King. The King said that he saw no object in dealing with Sassoon, for three [Page 1509] reasons: First, he does not know with what authority Sassoon speaks; second, Sassoon is leaving soon for Ankara as Israel representative; third, it is better in any event to wait for the Department’s reply to the recent Arab note.2
In connection with the third point I told Hassan Youssef to tell the King that in my opinion the Arab suggestions were unrealistic and anything but helpful at this juncture. He replied, “in that case what shall we do? Would it be possible to proceed on the basis of the existing demarcation lines between Israel and the Arabs?” He added quickly, “of course we could not admit to the other Arab states that we are talking of this, but if your people thought well of it I think we might get somewhere.” He added also that this was only his own suggestion.
I said, “I can tell the State Department you suggested it”.
Sent Department 1094, repeated Athens 33 for McGhee.
- Not printed; it advised that General Riley had brought a secret letter from Mr. Sassoon “to Ismail Shirine King’s brother-in-law proposing meeting at El Auja between representatives of the two parties to explore possibility reaching general agreement between Egypt and Israel.” (767N.83/11–1449)↩
- Of November 14, p. 1488.↩