974.531/7–751: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt 1
40. Dept understands Israel has decided request early SC consideration Suez Canal restrictions and meeting anticipated near future. Deptel 1288 Jun 122 indicated that while we wld prefer Egypt lift restrictions voluntarily, if matter came to SC we wld be obliged state our disapproval restrictions. We recognize that among risks involved in matter coming before SC are Egypt introduction Anglo-Egypt case, further exacerbation of Pal situation, Arab charge further evidence US pro-Israel policy. These, however, wld carry no weight with Israel which is within its rights in bringing matter before SC. Only hope avoiding SC discussion wld be if restrictions were lifted now by voluntary Egypt action.
We therefore wonder whether it wld be useful if you informed FonMin likelihood early SC action and expressed most informally our belief that Egypt’s interests wld best be served if it quietly lifted restrictions at this time. If you believe such informal approach wld be useful and has chance of success, you are authorized to make it. In such event suggest you info Brit, Fr and possibly Neth colleagues.3
- Drafted by Mr. Stabler; cleared with Messrs. McGhee, Waldo, G. L. Jones, and Ludlow. Repeated to Tel Aviv, London, Paris, The Hague, and New York.↩
- Ante, p. 712.↩
- In telegram 46 from Cairo, July 14, not printed, Ambassador Caffery reported that the Egyptian Foreign Minister had told him informally that Egypt would be prepared to “alleviate” the present restrictions if that would prevent the matter from being considered by the Security Council, but Egypt could not at this juncture abolish them. Caffery told Salaheddin that the matter was already before the Security Council. (974.531/7–1451)↩