Office of the Historian

774.56/6–2953: Telegram

No. 1195
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt1

secret
Washington, July 2, 1953—11:05 a.m.

5. Despite force arguments (Embtel 2651) we believe reopening question supply arms to Egypt inadvisable this juncture. President’s message to Churchill (Deptel 2371) reaffirmed our assurances to British2 we would not furnish arms until status Anglo-Egyptian problem clarified. As stated Deptel 24403 we plan discuss Suez Base issue with Salisbury, thus preventing indefinite delay. Any change in our position on arms would prejudice prospects obtaining modification British stand on Base issue.

We giving urgent consideration (Embtel 2656)4 possibility visit fifty-five Egyptian officers US military installations. Difficulties posed by shortage of time and heavy expense involved.5

Smith
  1. Repeated to London as telegram 35.↩
  2. Printed as telegram 8011 to London, Document 1187.↩
  3. The Department in telegram 2440 to Cairo, June 30, not printed, informed Ambassador Caffery that since the Bermuda Conference had been postponed, the alternate plan was for Lord Salisbury to participate in talks at the Foreign Minister level in Washington, beginning about July 10. This event would allow an opportunity to discuss Egypt with the British, and the Department planned to proceed on the same basis as planned for Bermuda. (396.1 WA/6–3053)↩
  4. Not printed.↩
  5. The Department in telegram 57 to Cairo, July 14, not printed, told Caffery that owing to lack of funds, the Department was unable to arrange the transportation to the United States or a tour of American military installations for 55 Egyptian officers. (711.55374/7–1453)↩