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

745W.00/2–953: Telegram

No. 1095
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Holmes) to the Department of State¹

secret
priority

London, February 9, 1953—noon.

4385. Reference Department’s telegram 5259, February 7.²

Embassy has spoken to Foreign Office along lines Ambassador Caffery’s recommendation contained Cairo’s 1800, February 7. Foreign Office official said deletion which Egyptians desire would have been put Cabinet, probably today, but he did not anticipate great difficulty.

Foreign Office official also referred to British draft protocol submitted Egyptians last month providing the UK and Egypt agree Sudan Parliaments will be free discuss principal provisions of agreement and that two governments undertake give full consideration to Parliament’s views. Foreign Office says Egyptians have dropped this protocol in their counterproposals and that Governor General considers it most important that it be restored in order assuage feelings of south Sudanese. Foreign Office emphasizes this is not a “sticking point” and that if Egyptians refuse sign such a protocol, British will merely make unilateral statement at appropriate time to effect that Her Majesty’s Government considers Sudan Parliament free discuss provisions of agreement if it so desires. However, British would prefer handle problem in agreement with Egyptians. Foreign Office understands Stevenson has discussed this problem with Ambassador Caffery and wishes identify itself with Stevenson’s hope that Ambassador Caffery will find it possible help persuade Egyptians to accept it.³

Holmes

1. Repeated priority to Cairo as telegram 231.
2. The Department in telegram 5259, Feb. 7, not printed, asked the Embassy in London to present Caffery’s recommendation in telegram 1800 from Cairo, supra, to the British Foreign Office without delay, since it appeared that this change alone stood in the path of a final agreement. (745W.00/2–753)
3. Caffery reported in telegram 1821, Feb. 10, not printed, that he had spoken to the Egyptians as requested by Stevenson regarding the proposed draft protocol. (745W.00/2–1053) In this same vein, Caffery reported in telegram 1833, Feb. 11, not printed, that the Egyptians refused to agree to the use of the draft protocol. Stevenson acquiesced and told Caffery as well that present plans called for initialing the agreements the next day, Feb. 12. (745W.00/2–1153)