745W.00/2–453: Telegram
No. 1091
The Chargé in the United Kingdom
(Holmes)
to the Department of State
1
priority
4308. From Secretary.2 Eden informed us this afternoon that he had persuaded Cabinet to go a long way in meeting Egyptian position re Sudan. Instructions have been sent to Stevenson and have been repeated British Embassy Washington telling Makins to bring them immediately to Byroade’s attention. Eden said that he felt that United Kingdom had gone a long way and could go no further and expressed hope that Caffery would urge Egyptians to accept latest British proposal.
Since we have not actually seen latest instructions to Stevenson, decision re capacity to support should be taken by Department. I suggest that after examination these instructions if Department concurs that they are reasonable Caffery be told to speak to Egyptian Government along following lines:
United States considers United Kingdom position to be eminently reasonable and assumes that Egyptian Government will find them so and that speedy settlement of Sudan question may follow. Because it assumes that there will be a settlement on Sudan United States Government is prepared to begin immediately consideration of interim arms supply to Egypt. If this assumption should later prove to be incorrect the United States Government would feel free to reconsider its position.
[Page 1979]I have told Eden that if foregoing is satisfactory to Department we would proceed to the immediate supply to the Egyptians of non-objectionable items.
- Also sent priority to Cairo as telegram 226.↩
- Regarding the Secretary’s visit to London at this time, see footnote 2, Document 1087.↩