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

641.74/8–753: Telegram

No. 1210
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt¹

secret

Washington, August 7, 1953—7:52 p.m.

155. Egyptian Ambassador stated following based on telephone conversation with Cairo re Anglo-Egyptian discussions August 6:

1. British adopted extreme bargaining position.

2. UK suggested Base agreement should last ten years and technicians should remain throughout period. Ambassador described this as utterly unacceptable.

3. British proposed Base should be available in case of general war or aggression against Egypt, any Arab State, Turkey or Iran. Ambassador said this unacceptable. Asserted Egypt must retain right determine when threat exists, otherwise UK could conjure up threat at any time.

4. Next meeting scheduled August 11.

Smith

1. Repeated to London as telegram 683.