883.20/7–1949: Telegram
The Chargé in Egypt (Patterson) to the Secretary of State
692. Re London’s telegram to Department 2714, repeated Cairo 92, July 12, 6 p. m. British Ambassador on sixteenth immediately prior to return for conferences London stated responsive my inquiry that Egyptian-British defense talks were proceeding slowly due at least in part to political factors connected with approaching elections. For fear of leakage to opposition of current negotiations enabling Wafd to make consequent political capital, not even Egyptian military willing put anything on paper. Egyptian negotiators realized political danger their talks becoming known while British Armed Forces remain on Egyptian territory. Accordingly, said negotiators have urged British withdraw forces to Cyrenaica, Cyprus, Transjordan or other outlying areas in vicinity Egypt alleging rapidity of modern transport renders physical presence foreign forces on Egyptian territory unnecessary even though Egyptians recognize need eventual reentry or stationing such forces on Egyptian territory in international emergency.
To meet these fears and difficulties British urging Egyptians to work out defense plans on purely technical and hypothetical basis mentioning no names and describing forces involved as those belonging to countries (A) or (B).
Ambassador dubious as to progress which talks may make pending elections which he thought would be held in October as recently publicly announced by Prime Minister.
Sent Department, repeated London 75.