780.5/10–1651: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt 1
584. You shld deliver note to FonMin immed along fol lines: “The US Govt greatly regrets the decision of the Egypt Govt to reject the proposals which were made to it by the Govts of US, Fr, Turkey and UK.2 It is the sincere belief of the US Govt, which had collaborated closely with the other three Govts in their formulation, that the proposals [Page 227] offer a sound basis for resolving the Anglo-Egypt Treaty Ques in a manner wholly consistent with Egypt’s position as an independent and sovereign power.
The US Govt considers that the recent action of the Egypt Govt with respect to the abrogation of the Anglo-Egypt Treaty of 1936 and the 1899 Agreements concerning the Sudan is not in accord with proper respect for internatl obligations and for its part believes it to be without validity. This action must be regarded as a serious retrograde step in the endeavors of the free world to develop systems of cooperative defense and in efforts to promote world law and order.
The US Govt expresses the strong hope that great restraint will be shown by all parties concerned in the present situation. At the same time the US Govt wishes to make clear that it will hold the Egypt Govt responsible for any loss of life, injury or damage to American citizens or property which may occur because of the lack of adequate measures of public security.”
Emb urgent comments requested re desirability publication this note after delivery.3
- Drafted by Stabler, cleared by McGhee, Perkins, and Matthews, and personally approved for transmission and signed by Acheson. Repeated to London, Paris, and Ankara.↩
- On October 15, the Government of Egypt notified the U.S. Government of its rejection of the proposals presented to it on October 13 by the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Turkey (“Statement by Secretary Acheson,” October 17, 1951, Department of State Bulletin, October 29, 1951, p. 702). For further information on the Egyptian rejection of the four-power proposals, see despatch 921 from Cairo, October 9, p. 392.↩
- Ambassador Caffery replied in telegram 506 from Cairo of October 17 that if relations with the British required that the note be published, then he agreed it should be, but if it were more important to “keep the door open” vis-à-vis Egypt, then it would be unwise to publish it at that moment (780.5/10–1751). In telegram 593 to Cairo of October 18, McGhee, signing for Acheson, informed Caffery that the note would not be published (780.5/10–1751). Acheson, meanwhile, released a statement to the press on October 17 which closely paralleled the wording of the note contained in the source text. (Department of State Bulletin, October 29, 1951, p. 702)↩