641.74/12–1053: Telegram
No. 1250
The Secretary of
State to the Embassy in
Egypt1
priority
649. For Caffery. Secy saw Egyptian Ambassador today re Bermuda. Secy said he personally convinced after long discussions with Brit that they could not, from domestic political point of view, make further concessions of substance. He explained situation in London, including Zionist impact upon Labor Party, revolt in Conservative Party, effect of Sudanese elections, etc., as outlined in Deptel 638 to Cairo, repeated London 3041. Secy felt that Eden had accurately portrayed situation in London which was confirmed by our own independent reporting.
Secy stated he felt it impossible for us to accomplish anything by further urging Britain to make further concessions under above conditions. He felt it now up to Egypt to weigh seriously facts of the situation. He urged strongly that Egypt consider advantages of seeking agreement along lines now apparently possible as contrasted with grave effects of non-agreement. Choice of these two alternatives now revolved about two specific issues of relative non-importance [Page 2169] from a practical point of view. He hoped Naguib, particularly after being strengthened by Sudanese elections, would take statesmanlike view of situation and make best of it by accepting early agreement with the British. If this could be done Secy felt Egypt and US could move together into more constructive planning and development for the future.
Egyptian Ambassador given no hint of new availability formula we had urged upon Eden or that Eden had indicated some slight flexibility might be forthcoming on this point.
Do not believe Ambassador grasped full import of Secy’s remarks and fear he may not objectively report conversation or situation as we see it.
Caffery should do utmost under these difficult conditions persuade Egyptians carefully weigh alternatives prior to their final decision. Our own estimate of situation is that British prepared to make agreement if Egyptians act promptly but this may not be the case for long in view of British political problems.
- Repeated priority to London for Ambassador Aldrich as telegram 3095. Drafted and approved by Byroade after being cleared in draft with the Secretary of State.↩