774.56/1–1953: Telegram
No. 1083
The Secretary of
State to the Embassy in the United
Kingdom1
4805. After careful consideration Department has decided it would be unwise from point of view U.S. position Egypt and our desire to be of maximum assistance in attainment West objectives to link interim arms program with defense negotiations. We are, therefore, proceeding with staff work necessary develop interim program in final form. British may be assured however that when we make final decision re timing our offer to Egyptians, we shall most carefully examine situation existing in Egypt both in light of possibility of outbreaks involving British soldiers and in light status Sudan negotiations.
Immediately following Deptel contains list and quantity of Army and Air Force equipment desired by the Egyptians.2 List total well over 11 million dollars and includes items which could be used for guerrilla warfare. Before we attempt scale program down to fit within 11 million dollar ceiling, we should appreciate British views as to what items they would object to with respect guerrilla activities. [Page 1968] Their views would be helpful to us in devising final list which, as British will see, may contain items which would not be available for two years. While we shall of course bear in mind general question of which items might be better supplied by U.K., we cannot agree this should be limiting factor in connection with such 11 million dollar list as we may finally decide upon.
Once we have British views we shall then screen our list, both from point of view of cost and guerrilla weapons. We shall of course make available final list to U.K. at time we inform Egyptians of our approval this interim aid. We should appreciate receiving British views before end this week.