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

684A.85/4–2554: Telegram

No. 809
The Ambassador in Egypt (Caffery) to the Department of State¹

confidential

Cairo, April 25, 1954—2 p.m.

1348. Re Tel Aviv telegram 1071.² Riad told Embassy officer yesterday he or Gohar prepared meet Israelis opposite number any time for informal discussion border problems with or without local commanders and police participation and in presence UN observer. Riad said such meetings had been suggested many times, most recently to MAC chairman Hinkle who approved, but fact that nothing ever came of suggestions showed Israelis seek political or propaganda advantage from border situation and have no genuine desire reduce incidents. Nevertheless, Egypt always prepared cooperate immediately in any such meeting.

Israeli concept of purpose such meeting as described reference telegram was not conveyed to Riad.

Caffery

1. Repeated to Tel Aviv as telegram 74.
2. Document 798.