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

774.56/3–2053: Telegram

No. 1130
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom¹

secret

Washington, March 24, 1953—11:03 a.m.

6321. Comments or confirmation points from British memorandum cited London’s 5207 Mar 20 following:

A. correct.

B. correct.

C. correct.

D. correct except for 76mm ammunition. 90,000 rounds offered.

E. Department awaiting submission revised list by Egyptians and details Egypt’s ability pay.

F. Single list submitted Feb 13 included 50,000 rounds 37mm ammunition, 945,000 rounds .30 Cal., 145,000 rounds .50 Cal. all for delivery one year.

G. Delivery times cited reftel and above correct. Periods approximate only.

H. Secretary’s statement based on fact no formal arrangement yet completed with Egyptians.

3. Important objective U.S. interim arms aid program is amelioration present state U.K.-Egyptian relations. If at actual time delivery U.S. believes weapons likely be used against U.K. forces, delivery will not be made. U.S. reserves right judge whether conditions “disturbed” to degree delivery weapons inadvisable. U.S. position still essentially same as set forth Annex A paper four London talks.²

4. Grant aid for training offered. (Deptel 6168 Mar 17)³

Dulles

1. Repeated to Cairo as telegram 1879.
2. The reference is to Annex A, “United States Position on Extension of Military Aid to Egypt”, not printed, to Paper No. 4 of the United States–United Kingdom Talks on Egypt. (774.5/1–1453) See telegram 3642 from London, Document 1068.
3. Not printed; telegram 6168 to London, Mar. 17, was also transmitted to Cairo as telegram 1833. See footnote 2, Document 1120.