Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V

784A.5/5–3150: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt

top secret

Washington, April 6, 1950—2 p. m.

283. Re Embtels 297, Mar 27 and 312, Mar 31.¹ Art appearing Al Misri Mar 24 erroneous and distorted version info obtained Dept official Mar 21. Al Misri correspondent informed US NE arms policy based criteria preventing arms race area while recognizing desirability of countries concerned obtaining such arms as necessary for legitimate security requirements. Re points one and two Min’s ltr spokesman stressed equipment being exported Israel and Arab countries represents small arms and equipment for defense purposes rather than weapons of war and such shipments consistent US arms export policy. Re point three spokesman’s remarks limited Egypt and fact Egypt export license applications for mil equipment will be considered same basis other NE countries under US arms export policy. Point four Min’s ltr re Israel not discussed interview. Ltr MinFonAff re mil aid recd Dept Mar 20 (Embtel 260 Mar 18) and contents unknown spokesman at time interview.

You may in ur discretion convey substance above MinFonAff.

Israeli arms request Feb 13 being evaluated Natl Defense to determine consistency with US arms export policy (re embtel 299 Mar 28).²

Acheson

1. Neither printed; the former transmitted the text of a further letter from the Egyptian Foreign Minister, which continued his earlier message (see telegram 260, March 18, from Cairo, p. 810). The letter cited the newspaper Al Misri as authority for the following points said to have been made by an official spokesman of the Department of State:

   • “1. The American Government has delivered to the Ambassador of Israel permission to buy arms for the requirements of internal security within its country.
   • “2. Without giving any details regarding these arms the spokesman has tried to explain that they are not of the category of heavy arms.
   • “3. The Arab countries have not formulated demands with the objective of obtaining permission to buy arms.
   • “4. Israel has not furnished to the Department of State the information which the latter had demanded regarding its armed forces, which information was the condition stipulated for supplying the arms in question.” (784.5/3–2750)

2. Not printed.