501.BB Palestine/2–2249: Telegram
The Chargé in Egypt (Patterson) to the Secretary of State
186. Deptel 194 February 21. Since my previous conversations concerning Rhodes negotiations were with Prime Minister I requested Abdul Hadi Pasha to receive me today which he did within the hour. I reviewed situation as understood by my government and repeatedly stressed US Government’s view that Beersheba should not prove obstacle to signature armistice agreement, especially since Bunche draft safeguards political rights or claims to that town for determination during final peace settlement.
In response to my exposition Prime Minister stated that he would use his best efforts in interest of a settlement. Although I urged him to be more definite he was not disposed to bind himself by precise promise, and probably indeed could not have done so.
Prime Minister emphasized that Egyptian attitude toward Beer sheba was not arbitrary, but was based on importance of town as symbol of UN November 4 resolution; as strategic point important for Egypt’s defense (although such importance now diminished by Zionist fortified villages in vicinity); and as communications center on an important highway. For these reasons Egypt had been anxious to maintain a civil administration at Beersheba without troops or fortifications.
[Page 765]My final impression gained from our talk was that Abdul Hadi Pasha would use his influence to remove Egyptian reservation respecting Beersheba.
Thereafter possibly with view of making a Palestine settlement more palatable to Egyptian public (since Prime Minister stated that it had been difficult for Egyptians to negotiate and to make concessions) Hadi Pasha urged at considerable length importance of US support for return of Palestine refugees to their homes since temporary relief would not suffice and also US economic aid to Egypt.
If a Marshall plan for the Middle East were not practicable at least the US Government should insist that Marshall Plan dollars supplied European countries should when such countries required Egyptian cotton be used to pay for at least a portion of such cotton in dollars.
The Prime Minister in response to my question stated that he stood by the thoughts contained in his recently published responses to questions propounded by Walter Collins, Cairo United Press correspondent.