780.5/2–1953: Telegram
No. 118
The Ambassador in Egypt (Caffery) to the
Department of State1
1893. Pakistan Chargé called this morning on Embassy counselor. He said that 10 days ago he had had interview with Naguib. Latter had inquired what Pakistan attitude would be toward MEDO. Chargé replied that Pakistan favored MEDO in principle but because of its friendship for Arab states would prefer not to indicate its assent until Arabs themselves had finished bargaining with West powers. Pakistan felt that this attitude would strengthen bargaining position of Arab states.
Re Indian attitude Pakistan Chargé said that most certain way of swinging Pakistan opinion in favor of MEDO was Nehru’s outcry against Pakistan entry into this defense system.
Naguib then told Chargé that India had been exerting pressure on Egypt remain neutral. Chargé told Prime Minister that since his revolution was middle class uprising and was clearly anti-Communist in nature it should be fairly obvious that Egypt had no choice but to align itself with other enemies of communism and that accordingly neutrality was out of question. He felt that Naguib agreed in this assessment.
Zafrullah Khan Pakistan Foreign Minister arrives tomorrow for 5-day official visit. No agenda has been set but Pakistan Embassy is certain Foreign Minister will discuss Kashmir, attitudes to be adopted toward MEDO, Indian pressure for neutrality, and possibly attitudes toward Federal Germany. Zafrullah Khan will also discuss nomination of Pakistan member to Governor General’s Advisory Commission in Sudan. Pakistan Chargé very skillfully beat Panikkar to the draw in securing Egyptian acceptance of Pakistani on this commission in lieu of Indian.
Department may wish in its discretion to pass New Delhi.
- Repeated to London and Karachi.↩