741.56374/2–954: Telegram
No. 1279
The Ambassador in Egypt (Caffery) to the
Department of State1
891. Nasir last night asked Embassy Officer what British position was regarding his offer to me to extend availability formula to include case of attack on Turkey (mytel 836, January 26). He said he had not yet taken matter up in RCC and saw no point in doing so unless British reaction favorable.
Embassy Officer referred to Eden’s absence from London and said British have not yet taken position on matter. (Nasir, incidentally, remarked that at time of Robertson’s visit to London in July, British were insisting on inclusion of Turkey and Iran in availability formula but subsequently dropped Iran. He also alleged that [Page 2213] UN formula was brought up when Egyptians turned down Turkey and therefore considers his current offer to be in lieu of reference to UN.)
Nasir pointed out that Egyptian public is expecting decision as to government’s “new foreign policy” and that he had to know very soon “whether there is going to be agreement or not.” (In this connection he also reiterated that Egypt could never accept British position on uniforms.)
Nasir said he has been delaying foreign policy consultations to prevent situation from “jelling” pending an indication of British reaction to his concession on availability but that situation cannot be allowed to drift much longer. Embassy Officer urged that Egyptians continue to wait a while longer. Importance of avoiding any new crisis was particularly stressed. He appeared to take latter point and remarked that government has internal security situation well in hand.
- Repeated to London as telegram 295.↩