745W.00/2–753: Telegram

No. 1094
The Ambassador in Egypt (Caffery) to the Department of State1

secret
priority

1800. Stevenson presented new British proposals yesterday. Fawzi last night told me that five hour session resulted in narrowing differences very nearly to zero. Subcommittee is meeting this morning to work out several slight changes in drafting.

Fawzi said he would be prepared sign agreement if British will accept one change requested by Egyptians in proposed paragraph 4 of Article 100 of draft statute2 relating to special powers of Governor General toward southern provinces—i.e., deletion of phrase “or administrative or executive act”.

Fawzi made point that Governor General will have sufficient power to prevent discrimination without this specific reference while retention this wording would give him legal right to set aside almost any act of Sudanese Government on grounds he deemed it discriminatory.

He added that even if Egyptians were inclined accept this wording they would be obliged first seek approval of Sudan parties. Door might thereby be opened to further delays and present opportunity for quick agreement lost.

Fawzi gives Secretary principal credit for new British proposals, but Egyptians have, as expected, interpreted démarche reported mytel 17953 as US pressure on behalf of British. I trust Department will strongly urge British now to accept this small change which Egyptians desire for reasons set forth above.4

Caffery
  1. Repeated to London as telegram 609 and to Khartoum as telegram 57.
  2. See footnote 2, Document 1092.
  3. Caffery reported in telegram 1795 from Cairo, Feb. 6, not printed, that the point of view expressed in the Secretary’s telegram 4308 from London, Document 1091, had already been made known in appropriate Egyptian quarters. (745W.00/2–653)
  4. In telegram 1809 from Cairo, Feb. 8, not printed, Caffery reported that Stevenson had recommended that London accept the “change. in the phrasing of paragraph 4 of Article 100 of the draft Sudan statute. (745W.00/2–853)