501.BB Palestine/8–2449: Airgram
The Chargé in Egypt (Patterson) to the Secretary of State
A–899. On calling August 21 on Under Secretary Hassouna Pasha, I raised subject Department’s circular telegram, August 16, 4 a. m.,1 respecting Departmental note of August 12 to Egyptian Chargé, [Page 1328] Washington, regarding desirability removal of trade restrictions in view removal arms embargo. In so doing, I recalled to Hassouna Pasha his own recent request that the U.S. Government, in view of arms embargo lifting by Security Council, should likewise cancel American rules and regulations in implementation of arms embargo.
Hassouna Pasha stated that he had not yet received Department’s above-mentioned note August 12. However, Egyptian Government has removed restrictions on commerce through Egyptian waters and ports aside from implements of war, such as arms and ammunition. Hassouna Pasha stated that this meant manufactured weapons and ammunition and did not include raw materials or even manufactured articles, such as rubber tires acceptable for use on military vehicles. On my pointing out, in view of arms embargo lifting, even these residual restrictions should be removed by Egypt, Hassouna Pasha countered by indicating that so long as the U.S. Government had not cancelled its own regulations limiting shipment of arms to the Middle East, in respect of Egypt, Egypt should not remove its own restrictions. If arms and ammunition were being supplied to Israel but not to Egypt, and if Egyptian restrictions were removed prior to U.S. action, Egypt might find itself powerless to prevent armament of Israel. However, Hassouna did not make any categorical promise that if the U.S. cancelled its current restrictions on export of arms, Egypt would lift its own restrictions on passage of arms and ammunition destined to Israel or its ports or waters.
It would be helpful if I might be informed of the Department’s thinking on the subject of this airgram.