883.801/9–2149: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt 1
954. [In] Connection with representations Brit making [to] Egypts re passage Suez Canal by Haifa-bound tankers and at suggestion of Brit Chargé, Brit Emb approached Dept under instrus FonOff with request Emb Cairo be authorized lend support in form general approach Egypt Govt urging lifting restrictions on passage thru Canal in respect all shipping. (Ref London’s Tel 3783, Sept 212 rptd Cairo as 955.) Neth Belg Nor Swed Turk and Ital being similarly [Page 1405] approached by Brit with request their reps consult Brit Chargé in order determine if such action in fact desirable and if so time and manner of approach.
You authorized take such action. If approach made you shld base your arguments on (1) previous US approaches re freedom of shipping thru Canal (Deptel 759 June 9 19483) (2) fact armistice agreements have been concluded between Israel and Arab states (3) removal of UN and US arms embargo (Depcirtel Aug 16 4 a. m. and Depcirtel Sept. 7 6 a. m.4).
This approach is not of course connected with present activities Econ Survey Mis and shld there be evidence Egypt misinterpretation you shld informally clarify.
Since drafting foregoing Brit report Chapman-Andrews5 saw PriMin Sept 22 and outcome talk unsatisfactory. He will doubtless inform you re conversation as factor in determining desirability supporting action by US and other powers.
Dept also discussed with Brit Emb rep manner which supporting action might take and suggests you consider in detail with Chapman-Andrews. Brit Emb rep agreed with Dept solemn parade fon reps in Cairo to Egypt FonOff wld certainly become known privately and publicly in Egypt. Resulting publicity might subsequently prevent favorable Egypt action. Manner supporting action shld therefore be carefully arranged and might, in final analysis, determine whether supporting action wld be advisable at this stage.