Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 1

974.5301/7–2553: Telegram

No. 643
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt¹

secret

Washington, July 25, 1953—3:32 p.m.

108. Tripartite talks on freedom transit Suez Canal started (Deptel 9 to Cairo)² July 21.³ United Kingdom and France suggested calling urgently secret conference Maritime Powers with primary interest in canal to consider means ensuring freedom transit including “last resort measures”. Egypt would not be invited to meeting.

Conference to agree on joint declaration to be issued in association with Egypt. United Kingdom made clear desired this larger conference regardless progress in Suez Base talks. If agreement on joint approach to Egypt not reached United Kingdom said would feel obliged raise freedom transit issue in connection Base negotiations. Draft proposed joint declaration tabled by United Kingdom and France follows:

Begin verbatim text. The Governments of . . .⁴ (including Egypt, in alphabetical order)

Taking note that Egypt in her capacity of territorial power is primarily responsible for the security of the Suez Canal;

Recognising that the Canal is a universal channel of communication;

Conscious of the community of interest which unites Egypt with the other users of the Canal in ensuring respect for the principles on which its international status rests;

Considering that the users of the Canal have an overriding interest in the uninterrupted maintenance of traffic through the Canal and in the regular and satisfactory working of the technical services of the Canal, under the conditions which have prevailed since its opening; (additions may be required in the light of circumstances) recall that the international status of the Canal, resulting from the international agreements and reinforced by uninterrupted usage, rests on the following principles:—

1. freedom of access and of passage in time of war as in time of peace to all vessels of war or of commerce;

2. absence of all discrimination against individual flags, ships of every nationality having full and equal rights of freedom of access and passage;

3. prohibition of all warlike or hostile acts likely to interfere with free navigation in the Canal and its ports of access and within a distance of three miles from these ports;

4. right of the Powers to ensure respect for the principles outlined above;

5. recognition of the particular rights and responsibilities of Egypt in her capacity as territorial Power within the framework of the agreements and conventions at present in force. End of verbatim text.

We plan inform United Kingdom and France we unable agree to conference Maritime Powers. Egypt certain to learn of conference and react adversely, especially to any consideration “last resort measures”. We plan also state believe Egypt would refuse participate in joint declaration suggested to her by Maritime Powers acting in concert. Believe numbered paragraph 4 of draft would prove especially objectionable.

As alternative we planning propose quiet approach to Egypt by one of three powers at propitious moment with suggestion Egypt issue unilateral declaration reaffirming freedom of transit. Approach would be made only when Suez Base issue settled or well on way to solution. Other Maritime Powers could subsequently take note individually of Egyptian declaration.

We will forward soonest for Embassy comments text possible declaration by Egypt. Request your comments on tentative Department position as indicated above.⁵

Dulles

1. Repeated to London and Paris.
2. Document 633.
3. The minutes of the tripartite meetings of July 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, and 29 are in file 974.5301.
4. Ellipsis in the source text.
5. Ambassador Caffery replied on July 26 as follows: “I cordially concur with Department’s position as outlined Deptel 108 July 25 without change.” (Telegram 129 from Cairo, July 26; 974.5301/7–2653)