774.00/6–2253: Telegram
No. 1192
The Ambassador in Egypt (Caffery) to the
Department of State1
2618. As indicated in my telegram 2603, Egypt’s new governmental set-up is more accurate and candid reflection of actual power position in the country. Naguib, who is popular idol and the symbol, worldwide, of new Egypt has enhanced prestige and popularity as head of state—a role to which he is eminently suited.
On the other hand, Nasir, who has always been brains and sparkplug of movement, will as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior have increased formal facilities for coordination of national policy and control of public administration. Nasir’s assumption of Interior portfolio is reassuring from security viewpoint. In conversation with Embassy officer on Saturday he expressed full realization of importance of protecting foreign residents under any and all circumstances. (In this connection a well-informed Egyptian journalist recently remarked that Muslim Brotherhood would long since have caused trouble in zone if it had not been for Nasir’s personal control of situation.)
- Repeated to London as telegram 840 and unnumbered to Paris, Rome, Ankara, Tripoli, and the Arab capitals.↩