Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 2

874.501/9–652: Telegram

No. 1004
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Department of State¹

secret
priority

London, September 6, 1952—2 p.m.

1319. EmbOff today informed FonOff of Dept’s decision re police equipment as contained Deptel 1620, Sept 5,² stressing Dept-envisaged move as possibly assisting Ali Maher in problems which he is facing with military.

FonOff expressed concern re this development. On basis conv reported Embtel 1302, Sept 5,³ FonOff last night had instructed Brit Emb Wash also discuss matter with Dept. While FonOff also anxious strengthen Ali Maher, it is not clear how this action will assist. If Ali Maher utilizes equipment to form new independent mobile units, it is likely bring him into new area of friction with military. If he does not set up independent police units, equipment will fall into control mil with repercussions FonOff fears (Embtel 1302). Altho Ali Maher might reap some kudos in such circumstances for obtaining arms for military, FonOff thinks they would be short-lived in any event and fears encouragement to military re further shipments.

At one point, FonOff asked how Dept’s decision fitted into obligations under NEACC which EmbOff had earlier been discussing in another connection (Embtel 1318 today).³ EmbOff pointed out project had been cleared between us early in year but never implemented. FonOff replied that situation had changed since then.

Comment: Unless implementation Dept’s instructions clearly necessary to save Ali Maher, Emb hopes that in view strong FonOff feelings and in interests Anglo-American coop, notification of decision to Ali Maher can be postponed until US and UK have had opportunity consult further on this project.⁴

Gifford

1. Repeated to Cairo as telegram 78.
2. Not printed. In telegram 498 to Cairo, repeated to London as telegram 1620, the Department instructed the Embassy in Cairo to inform the Egyptian Government that the Department of State and the Department of Defense were prepared to complete the police equipment project. (774.00/9–552)
3. Not printed.
3. Not printed.
4. In telegram 577 from Cairo, Sept. 6, not printed, Ambassador Caffery informed the Department of State that in view of the rapidly changing political situation in Egypt, he was deferring notification in Cairo that the United States was prepared to provide the police equipment. (874.501/9–652) The Department replied in telegram 505, Sept. 6, not printed, that it concurred with Caffery’s course of action, and told him not to proceed in the future until he had checked with the Department beforehand. (874.501/9–652)