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

741.56374/2–1254: Telegram

No. 1281
The Ambassador in Egypt (Caffery) to the Department of State¹

secret

Cairo, February 12, 1954—11 a.m.

901. I told Stevenson about my 891, February 9. Nasir still stands on what he told me as quoted by you in your 87, February 10.² He says, however, that it would jeopardize his influence for him to argue RCC into accepting Turkish concession and then be confronted by London turndown. He has done some preliminary soundings, and while he is reasonably confident he can put idea across (I am confident he can) in context UK accepting Egyptian position on uniforms, he is reluctant to have agreement opponents in RCC say “we told you so” if and when UK rejects the deal he has proposed. His prestige would undoubtedly suffer.

In final analysis Nasir must decide how his RCC colleagues can best be handled.

On his side Nasir has repeatedly asked if I had received a reply to his offer from London. I counseled patience on his part.

He would put “Turkey” proposal to RCC if London would give some indication of approval in principle.

Furthermore, Nasir has very much in mind what took place before and after “Washington conference”. Before the conference I extracted vast concessions from Nasir on his assumption that we would obtain concessions from British in return. He alleges British accepted his concessions but made no significant moves on their part.

Caffery

1. Sent priority to London as telegram 297 and repeated to the Department.
2. In telegram 87 from London to Cairo sent to the Department as telegram 3429, Feb. 10, not printed, Ambassador Aldrich reported that the Embassy was perplexed to note in telegram 891 from Cairo, Document 1279, that Nasir had not yet referred to the RCC his offer to include Turkey in the immediate availability formula. It was the Embassy’s understanding, on the basis of telegram 836 from Cairo, Document 1275, that Nasir had done this. Aldrich also asked if Stevenson had been informed of the conversation reported in telegram 891 from Cairo, as the Embassy in London had not discussed the matter with the Foreign Office. (741.56374/2–1054)