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

110.11 DU/10–1753: Telegram

No. 1230
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom¹

secret
niact

Washington, October 17, 1953—3:23 p.m.

Tedul 5. Hope you will be able give your personal attention to Cairo’s 182 to London² re British insistence on military uniforms. We consider British position most unfortunate and unnecessary. Feel it important British be under no illusions that we can give them further support on this issue.

Generally, we think Egyptians have gone far to meet British and it will be difficult for us, in our own interest, to continue to back British in event agreement now fails.³

Smith

1. Repeated to Cairo as telegram 437.
2. In telegram 182 from Cairo to London, sent as telegram 464 to the Department, Oct. 17, not printed, Caffery reported that the British had instructions from London to insist on British military uniforms for the technicians. (741.56374/10–1753)
3. In telegram Dulte 2 from London, Oct. 18, not printed, the Secretary of State said he had shown Eden a copy of Cairo’s 182 to London and a copy of telegram Tedul 5, and had expressed the American misgivings about the British position. (110.11 DU/10–1853)