867N.48/6–2749: Telegram
The Chargé in Egypt (Patterson) to the Secretary of State
628. Following receipt Deptel 626, June 25, 2 p. m. requested interview with Foreign Minister just returned from Alexandria. Khashaba Pasha received me noon 27th. I read over to him statements attributed to him mytel 578 June 141 all of which he confirmed. Thereafter I orally rendered to him in French US Government’s views on lack of constructive attitude by Egypt and other Arab states in cooperating towards solution refugee problem. On my mention of Egypt’s “negative attitude” Khashaba Pasha interrupted and inquired with asperity if Egypt’s steady insistence on positive implementation of numerous UN resolutions could be called negative. Egypt had, in accordance with UN resolutions, insisted on right of refugees desiring to return to their homes to do so. Those who did not desire to return to their homes in Palestine (and by homes he meant their houses and lands) should be compensated by Israel. Such persons should be admitted to the Arab states and the Arab states, Egypt included, would confer together as to distribution such refugees who had opted for resettlement. As for Egyptian refusal to accept proposed PCC’s subcommittees Foreign Minister stated that these subcommittees were Israeli devices designed to confuse humanitarian with territorial problems and perhaps indefinitely to delay former category which would not admit of delay. The human, that is, refugee problem, must be settled first since questions relating to demarkation of frontiers might drag on for years.
Foreign Minister, who frequently interrupted me in a rather agitated fashion (due perhaps to unaccustomed fast this first day of Ramadan), listened to my exposition regarding financial difficulties which would in all probability, arise in absence of immediate constructive thinking on the Arab part during current recess of PCC.
However, on my mention that in opinion US Government the refugee problem was a joint responsibility of Arab states and Israel, minister [Page 1189] ister became annoyed and inquired if the Arabs did not have a right to defend themselves against aggression.
Israeli proposal of assuming responsibility for Gaza strip refugees and inhabitants in return for Gaza-Rafa coastal area amounted to their insistence on being paid for fulfilling a prior obligation imposed upon them by UN. Moreover, the Israelis had made no promise to permit the return of the refugees to their hearthstones, orchards and fields. For such refugees to be turned off in all probability into the desert of the Negev adjoining the Gaza strip to re-create such life as they could in that barren soil was not repatriation in the sense understood by Egypt. However, in conclusion Minister stated Egypt would not refuse to give serious consideration to any plan designed as humanitarian measure and susceptible of bringing stability to an area or situation. He desired, though, in order to enable his government to give thorough study to views presented by US Government, to receive written communication embodying such views.
Does Department authorize my summarizing its views in form of memorandum or other informal communication which I might send Minister under cover of personal letter?
Khashaba Pasha informed me of his prospective return this afternoon to Alexandria where Prime Minister has already preceded him. He will return Cairo Monday, July 4, to attend dinner which he will offer in honor Secretary Treasury Snyder.
It would be desirable to have for communication to him at that time any further views Department may desire to express.
It would seem that at least initial reaction of Foreign Minister to Department’s suggestion of utilization of Israeli proposal as basis for discussion is far from favorable.
Sent Department; repeated Bern, USDel Lausanne.