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

674.84A/4–1054: Telegram

No. 791
The Ambassador in Egypt (Caffery) to the Department of State¹

confidential
priority

Cairo, April 10, 1954—7 p.m.

1287. Fawzi having especially called my attention to Israeli incident of April 7 (mytel 1280) on receipt of Tel Aviv telegram 1037,² I had EmbOff communicate its substance to Loutfi of Foreign Office and Colonel Riad with request it be brought to Fawzi’s attention.

Riad commented he has long feared present situation of mutual reprisals would develop but “we must and will continue do our best prevent reprisals”, even if it “almost impossible stop them entirely”, so as prevent development into all-out hostilities.

Re incidents in question, Riad said he was positive they were carried out by Palestinians not Egyptians. Although civilian arms taken up by Egyptians some time ago (even using trick to get maximum number disclosed) Palestinians will always find arms for reprisals. Riad recommended to previous and present Governor Gaza that arms should be given to responsible civilian heads for self-defense with severe restriction against offensive use but recommendation not accepted to date. Riad thinks his plan would reduce reprisals by strengthening civilian heads who constantly demand that Egypt protect them or else give them arms to protect themselves.

Re Tel Aviv telegram 1038,³ I concur desirability Egypt-Israeli military level conference. I believe Riad would agree but cannot predict what Egyptian Government attitude would be.

Caffery

1. Repeated to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, London, and the Arab capitals.
2. See footnote 2, Document 787.
3. Document 787.