784A.56/3–250: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt
175. Foll for your guidance re urtels 203 March 1 and 206. Mar 2.1
Since SC lifted Pal arms embargo Aug 11, 1949, US has permitted export to Arab states and Israel of limited quantities non-offensive mil equipment, in accord US NE arms export policy of allowing shipment of material US determines to be necessary for maintenance internal law and order and providing for reasonable self-defense requirements.
On Feb 14 [13] Israeli Amb submitted to Dept note2 containing list of additional mil equipment which he stated his Govt wld like obtain for defensive purposes. Dept is currently studying this list and will act upon it within framework of above policy.
No change in US views re NE armaments situation as set forth in See’s ltr to Rep Javits3 (re Mideast WB No. 7, Jan 16) US Govt does not wish see arms race take place in NE or be placed in position of feeing expected to furnish to one NE state a piece of mil equipment to match every piece mil equipment acquired by any other NE state.
- Neither printed; the former relayed the concern of the Egyptian Foreign Minister over press reports about Israeli requests to purchase arms in the United States and his hopes that the request would not be granted (784A.56/3–150). The latter advised that friendly feelings toward the United States were being menaced by articles in the press concerning the possibility that the United States would supply arms to Israel (784A.56/3–250). In an interview on February 28 with an Associated Press correspondent, Azzam Pasha sharply denounced Israeli efforts to secure arms from the United States (despatch 393, March 1, from Cairo, 784A.56/3–150). The same despatch noted the growing indignation and suspicion of the Egyptians over reports that the Arabs were preparing for a “second round” in Palestine. Apprehension was expressed that Israel was using a propaganda smokescreen to conceal her own aggressive intentions. Ambassador Caffery concluded that the news reports would probably increase Egyptian anxiety.↩
- See footnote 2, p. 737.↩
- Dated January 12, p. 684.↩