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

641.74/11–1353: Telegram

No. 1246
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Aldrich) to the Department of State¹

secret

London, November 13, 1953—7 p.m.

2095. Deptel 2570 re Suez base discussed today with Foreign Office official who undertook furnish comment soonest on our proposed wording re availability and uniforms. Foreign Office has sent instructions to British Ambassador Washington to inform Department that Foreign Office does not believe Egyptians oppose British availability formula on grounds possible invocation in an Arab–Israel conflict. Foreign Office believes Egyptian opposition more likely based on reluctance, admittedly understandable, make base automatically available under certain conditions without prior consultation.

Re wording Department reference telegram, preliminary Foreign Office reaction is that addition of specific recognition of responsibilities under UN Charter and Uniting for Peace resolution would probably not be objected to by British if this wording satisfactory to Egyptians. Foreign Office inclined to doubt latter would be case in view its interpretations, given above, of Egyptian opposition to availability formula but obvious unable speak for Egypt on this score.

Re uniforms, Foreign Office, while entirely agreeing with Department that problem will not arise until after British forces withdrawn by which time popular feeling toward British should have materially altered, believes British will have to continue insisting on formula presented to Egyptians at last meeting. Foreign Office still hopeful, however, talks will not break down on this point and thinks if agreement can be reached on availability Egyptians will give in on uniforms.

Asked when British planning make next approach to Egypt, official stated no such intention since British position remains (Embtel 1780, October 23 and 1857, October 29)² that next move is up to Egyptians. Department’s understanding this connection therefore appears erroneous. Official added that although UK still desires agreement and believes Egyptians do too, both sides now seem to be coming around to belief it might be best await outcome Sudan elections.³

Aldrich

1. Repeated to Cairo as telegram 51.
2. Not printed.
3. The Embassy in London in telegram 2112, Nov. 16, not printed, reported that Eden had examined the proposed wording regarding availability and uniforms as transmitted by the Department in telegram 2570, supra, and had approved the preliminary line taken by the Foreign Office as reported in this telegram. The British attitude on both points was still that they had made their position plain to the Egyptians, and that it was up to Egypt to propose new language. (641.74/11–1653)