883.20/2–149: Telegram
The Chargé in Egypt (Patterson) to the Secretary of State
niact
125. ReEmbair 23, January 7.1 Naval Attaché informs Admiral Bolger and party due Cairo February 3 and arrangements completed with Ministry of Defense without unusual interest or inquiry on part of Egyptian liaison office. Party proposes to drive immediately from airport to Canal Zone.
I informed British Ambassador of foregoing arrangements consequent upon request for a meeting this morning on subject of pending Anglo-American military-naval conversations at Fayid. (ReEmbtel [Page 193] 104, January 26.2) I pointed out that on occasion of very recent passage through Cairo I had introduced Admiral Bolger to Foreign Minister while Defense Minister had declined to give him an appointment. I felt, accordingly, that consideration of civility toward Egyptians had already been adequately handled in Cairo.
On Ambassador’s mentioning thrice expressed interest by King Farouk in past conversations this nature I remarked that HM had not raised the subject in recent conversation with me. Since, however, the British were in a sense acting as hosts and under 1936 treaty enjoyed a special relationship to Egypt we could hardly prevent British Ambassador or other British authority from notifying HM of initiation of proposed talks, should British deem desirable.
To this Ambassador agreed adding, however, that while King Farouk had not in so many words requested that Egyptian officers participate in the Anglo-American talks he felt certain that this request would arise as soon as Egyptians found out about the talks, as they were bound to do. It was important to do everything possible to preserve Egyptian goodwill and to avoid, in case of eventualities, being confronted with a hostile government or populace.
I concurred in this observation but stated that I had no idea whether my government would view with favor Egyptian participation in what I understood to be high level conversation of equally high secrecy.
The Ambassador and also Minister Chapman-Andrews, who was present during our talk, indicated that possible Egyptian participation would be formal and not involve revelation of highly confidential plans or projects to Egyptians.
In reply, I stated that I had absolutely no information concerning attitude which my government would adopt toward even formal Egyptian participation in proposed conversations. The problem seemed to involve question of policy for decision at Washington. To this end I would, however, immediately telegraph in the hope that a decision might be communicated to London and this Embassy by the time of arrival in Egypt of Admiral Bolger and his associates, [Page 194] or at any rate soon after the appearance of such officers on Canal Zone.
Ambassador thanked me for this offer stating that it was important in his view that Egyptians should feel they had been let in on ground floor of talks so that early word would be highly desirable if maximum beneficial effect were to be gained. There will probably be a series of such talks which could best be held on the ground rather than on some neutral spot.
Request Department’s urgent telegraphic advices with view to my communicating further with British Ambassador.
- Not printed.↩
- Not printed; it advised that “British civil or military authorities in Egypt are always in position (and we could not prevent them) to notify Egyptians of proposed participation by American officers in extended and important conversations to be held on Egyptian territory. His Majesty, it will be recalled, approached British Ambassador to indicate annoyance over not being consulted in respect of military conversations having apparent bearing on Egypt. HM did not consult me despite my having been received in audience subsequent to his comment to British Ambassador.” (883.20/1–2649)↩