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

774.00/9–852

No. 1005
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (Byroade) to the Secretary of State

confidential

Washington, September 8, 1952.

Subject:

• Reaffirmation of September 3 statement on Egypt.

Discussion

Over this past weekend there has been a great deal of political activity in Egypt, culminating in the demand by the military group High Committee for the resignation of Prime Minister Ali Maher and the appointment of General Mohamed Naguib, the Commander-in-Chief, as Prime Minister. Throughout the course of the discussion and decision, members of the High Committee have made a point of keeping our Ambassador informed of developments (Tab A).¹

Ambassador Caffery strongly recommends that in response to press questions the Department reaffirm your statement to the press of last Wednesday (Tab B)² regarding our interest in developments in Egypt, “including the reform program announced by the Egyptian Government”. The program of the armed forces (Tab C),³ the details of which must be agreed to by all members of the new Naguib Cabinet prior to acceptance of their portfolios, is essentially the same as that contemplated by Ali Maher with the reform measures even more sweeping than those of the former Prime Minister.

The following “line to be taken in response to press questions” was telegraphed to Ambassador Caffery for his comments (Tab D).⁴ He has replied that “this is exactly what we wished” (Tab E).⁵

“The Department has been informed of the September 7 cabinet change in Egypt involving the replacement of Ali Maher by General Naguib as Prime Minister. The Department sees no basic alteration of Egyptian policies in this development. Since the program of the Egyptian Government remains based on principles rather than personalities, there is no change in the United States attitude as expressed in the Secretary’s statement of September 3, 1952 wishing that Government success in this program, including the reform movements.”

Recommendation

That you approve use of this reaffirmation of your September 3 statement in answer to questions from the press on the United States attitude toward the most recent developments in Egypt.⁶

1. Not printed. Tab A is telegram 593 from Cairo, Sept. 7. (774.00/9–752)
2. Not printed. For the text of Secretary Acheson’s statement of Sept. 3, see Department of State Bulletin, Sept. 15, 1952, p. 406.
3. Not printed. Tab C is telegram 596 from Cairo, Sept. 7. (774.00/9–752)
4. Not printed. Tab D is telegram 510 to Cairo, Sept. 7. (774.00/9–752)
5. Not printed. Tab E is telegram 597 from Cairo, Sept. 8. (774.00/9–852)
6. Secretary Acheson spoke with the President on Sept. 8 regarding the new developments in Egypt and informed President Truman that this new statement was going to be issued to the press. (774.00/9–852)