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

641.74/7–1853: Telegram

No. 1207
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Aldrich) to the Department of State¹

secret
niact

London, July 18, 1953—3 p.m.

291. Allen, head African Department Foreign Office today informed us Robertson will arrive Cairo tomorrow evening. He will be available for informal exploratory conversations with Egyptians, but is under instructions take no initiative in resuming contact. In response Embassy official’s expression of hope that opportunity for resumption of contact will not become bogged down in question of who assumes initiative, Allen explained Cabinet has strong views against giving my [any?] impression that UK is running after Egyptians. We gathered, however, that Allen hopeful Ambassador Caffery will find means of stimulating Egyptians to take initiative in getting in touch with Robertson but without in any way suggesting approach if British inspired.

Pending Salisbury’s return and Cabinet discussion on July 21 of points raised during Washington conversations, Robertson will be generally guided by memo contained Deptel 203, July 12. Within this general framework, however, he will have wide flexibility to explore British and Egyptian ideas. He will not put forward any “plan” or “proposals.” We gather both from Allen and from Robertson himself that latter is conscious of need for flexibility and for keeping conversations going.

Allen said government feels it is risking rebuff in sending Robertson back under foregoing circumstances and that, if Egyptians should fail to establish contact, government will feel compelled to bring him back home again. Further factor bearing on situation is Commons Foreign Affairs debate scheduled for July 21, in which some reference will have be made to Robertson’s departure. Allen hoped government statement can be so worded that it will not run risk of prejudicing any Egyptian initiative in resuming contact. Biggest risk arises from uncontrollable statements and questions of Conservative backbenchers and opposition. Ideal development would therefore be for contact to be made before debate opens, in which event Allen thought it would be possible for government avoid any reference to fact it came about on Egyptian initiative.

Embassy official expressed strong hope that public reference can be avoided altogether to question of initiative, particularly further reiterations of such statements as those contained Embtel 254, July 16.² Foreign Office seemed receptive this point of view.

Comment: In light foregoing, Embassy suggests Department and Ambassador Caffery may wish consider stimulating Egyptians to resume contact. Embassy suggests any such US efforts might be tied to statement in President’s letter that Robertson returned to Cairo and “will be available to discuss the situation.”³

Aldrich

1. Repeated niact to Cairo as telegram 9.
2. Not printed.
3. In telegram 83 to Cairo on July 18, not printed, the Department asked Caffery if he believed it a good idea to ask either the British or the Egyptians to act in order to resume negotiations per the contents of telegram 291 from London. (641.74/7–1853) Caffery reported in telegram 103 on July 19, not printed, that the British Embassy in Cairo thought the suggestion that contact be made with the Egyptians before the debate in the House of Commons was unrealistic. (641.74/7–1953)