774.56/5–553: Telegram
No. 1153
The Secretary of
State to the Embassy in the United
Kingdom1
priority
7198. We do not plan any announcement at this time regarding sale of arms to Egypt (urtel 5928). Negotiations are still two or three stages removed from that point. Next step is to submit for Egyptian consideration revised arms list, following which Egyptians will presumably indicate their agreement or make further requests for revision. After informal agreement reached, Egyptians must make formal request, whereupon Defense will determine exact costs and we will take another good look at entire picture. If we decide favorably, Egyptians will then have to make necessary financial arrangements for payment.
This process certain to take some time, and it is only at its conclusion that public announcement contemplated. Even after that point is reached, delivery time for first item (30 armored cars) now estimated as ninety days and for bulk items (including additional 30 armored cars) as one year. During all this period we would have complete freedom to hold back or refuse delivery at any time.
[Page 2057]In light of this picture, we believe there is no need for British alarm and we propose therefore to hand Egyptian Embassy revised list on May 6.2
- Repeated to Cairo as telegram 2138. Drafted and approved by Jernegan.↩
-
On May 6 the Department, in telegram 2147 to Cairo, not printed, sent the following information:
“In response high level request from London transmitted by telephone, Department refrained (Deptel 2138 May 5) from giving Egyptians arms list today on pretext last minute administrative difficulties prevented final approval.” (774.56/5–653)
↩