741.56374/4–1254: Telegram
No. 1320
The Acting
Secretary of State to the Embassy
in the United Kingdom1
5367. After examination documents attached London’s Despatch 33212 we suggest following procedure and tactics in advancing new Suez Base proposals.
Preferable procedure appears to be Anglo-Egyptian agreement soonest on general plan, with establishment of technical committee [Page 2260] to develop details on future maintenance and operations. Language from draft “Heads of Agreement” could be used in part and arrangements for operations and maintenance could be described in broad terms along lines first paragraph of second enclosure to reference despatch. UK–Egyptian agreement could be followed promptly by public announcement and first withdrawals British troops. US and Egypt could then exchange notes extending availability rights to US.
If desired by both parties US might be represented on technical committee charged with working out future maintenance and operations. We interpret proposal as not requiring any commitment from us that US firms will participate. However interested US commercial companies might bid on specific contracts at appropriate time. Such participation requires no specific government authorization.
Tactically we agree with Caffery that approach should be made through Nasir leaving to Nasir’s judgment best manner bringing proposals formally to attention RCC. Stevenson might make first move simply informing Nasir British have new proposals they would like discuss with him. Before discussions start Caffery could advise Nasir that US aware of proposals, believes they will be welcomed by Egyptians and strongly advises acceptance. Stevenson could then initiate actual discussions in manner suggested by Nasir. We would not participate in negotiations unless invited by Egyptians.
We agree with Caffery on necessity avoiding joint démarche or appearance of “ganging up”. However, believe it important that Stevenson make first approach. This would help avoid accusations from British public that US forcing British evacuate base and also would give British maximum credit in Egyptian eyes which would facilitate working out details. Follow up by Caffery would serve place our full influence behind proposals.
London requested discuss with Foreign Office soonest.3
- Repeated to Cairo as telegram 1265. Drafted by Burdett and approved by Byroade.↩
- Not printed; see footnote 2, Document 1316.↩
- Ambassador Aldrich informed the Department in telegram 4529, Apr. 13, not printed, that the substance of telegram 5367 had been conveyed to the Foreign Office, which confirmed that the next move regarding Egypt would be for several British contracting firms to be consulted on a highly confidential basis. Then the Foreign Office hoped to be in a position to obtain Cabinet approval to make a preliminary approach to the Egyptians. (741.56374/4–1354)↩