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

641.74/6–1953: Telegram

No. 1190
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Aldrich) to the Department of State

top secret

London, June 19, 1953—2 p.m.

6665. Eyes only Secretary. Re Deptel 8010. Churchill’s message and General Robertson’s memo given us by Churchill yesterday. Saw Churchill this morning and delivered President’s message Deptel 8011. Churchill stated he wished to reply personally to President’s message and would draft reply this afternoon and furnish me with copy.¹ Presumably reply will be received Washington tomorrow.

I reminded him of and explained in detail limits of flexibility provided in March agreement re base arrangement referred to in third paragraph President’s message. In reply, he said that British were still trying to obtain basis of case A,² and that Robertson felt this goal obtainable. I asked him on what Robertson’s optimism was based and he said he was not familiar with details. I said our reports indicated that Egyptians were not prepared to agree to case A. I pointed out that President had always been ready to proceed on basis agreement reached in Washington and called his attention specifically to last paragraph of President’s message in Deptel 8011. I also said it was perfectly clear from messages received from Caffery that no indication had been given Egyptians of any hope of change of position by British. I said that if there was necessry flexibility in British position, US would urge on Egyptians reopening of negotiations. His reply was that British were still hoping to obtain case A and that they were not asking us to suggest to Egyptians they reopen negotiations although they would have no objections to our doing so. I found it difficult to get Churchill to concentrate on details of Egypt problem, I believe because of the fact that he expects to discuss the Egypt situation fully with the President when they meet.³

Aldrich

1. The Prime Minister wrote his reply that day, saying with regard to Egypt that:

   “I look forward to a good talk with you about the problem at Bermuda. Thank you especially for your final paragraph. I did not mean to suggest anything to the contrary in my cable, as I have absolute confidence in American goodwill and fair play.” (Presidential Correspondence, lot 66 D 204, “Churchill Correspondence with Eisenhower, February 1953 thru March 1955”)

2. See Document 1061.
3. Secretary Dulles sent a copy of this telegram to the President on June 20. In his covering memorandum, the Secretary said since Ambassador Aldrich had made no progress with the Prime Minister, he did “not think we are warranted in asking the Egyptians to reopen the discussions”. (641.74/6–2053)