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

774.00/9–752: Telegram

No. 1007
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt¹

secret
priority

Washington, September 8, 1952—7:47 p.m.

515. Brit Emb Rep today expressed regret that State Dept Rep had indicated to press US policy re Egypt mil regime remains as stated by Secy last Wed. Rep partie upset because Dept did not consult Brit Govt prior reaffirmation. Fol is summary msg from Eden to Brit Emb Wash left at Dept today.

Begin summary. Prior Maher’s resignation, Eden approved draft instrns to Brit Emb Wash discuss with Dept Egypt ques emphasizing in gen pres need for caution and firmness toward mil junta in dealing with Egypt. Eden suggd really firm admonition by Caffery needed warning mil they must allow Maher produce sensible reforms, making clear USG wld be deeply disturbed if mil proceed to ill-considered action against Maher meanwhile. Land reforms must be practicable and take into acct spec nature Egypt econ. Dangers foreseen by Eden of ill-considered reforms upsetting Egypt econ and soc structure and leading to assumption complete control by extremist members mil are even more pressing now, partic view “indiscriminate arrests” in Cairo and inclusion two new extremist mbrs (Mins Propaganda and Wafds) in Cab.

Eden “fully realises desire USG stand well with Gen Naguib”. Since latter seems “be already to some extent prisoner more extreme elements”, in Eden’s view there is real danger serious deterioration now in internal econ and polit sit, increase in xenophobia, gen diminution chances of understanding between Egypt and Western Powers, perhaps even recrudescence terrorism and anti-Brit attacks. “In these circumstances it is even more impt than ever that Brit and US policy shld keep in step, and anything that Egypts can interpret as appeasement by US is likely encourage extremists at our expense.”

Eden believes Egypts think USG giving them free hand fol Secy’s statement Sep 3 and that Caffery’s recommendation (final para Embtel 593)² entirely wrong line for US to take. “I do beg USG consider whether encouragement more extreme elements in Egypt this stage may not lead eventually to repetition last autumn’s events. In my view pres Egypt sit is full of dangerous potentialities and needs be handled by Amers and us with greatest caution.” End summary.³

Brit Chargé desires discuss subj further soonest.

(Note: Deptel 510 used as guidance,⁴ not full statement to press.)

Acheson

1. Repeated to London as telegram 1682. Drafted by Fowler and approved by John D. Jernegan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs.
2. In the final paragraph of telegram 593 from Cairo, Sept. 7, not printed, Ambassador Caffery recommended that the Department, in responding to press inquiries regarding the impending deposition of Ali Maher as Prime Minister, should continue to praise the military’s reform efforts in Egypt. (774.00/9–752)
3. Ambassador Caffery reacted to Foreign Secretary Eden’s message in telegram 632 from Cairo, Sept. 10, not printed, as follows: “London FonOff tactics have been wrong and over and over again I have predicted consequences. They are wrong again.” (774.00/9–1052)
4. See footnote 4, Document 1005.