741.56374/4–1354: Telegram
No. 1322
The Ambassador in Egypt (Caffery) to the
Department of State1
priority
1300. After reviewing Foreign Office memoranda (London despatch 3321, April 2)2 and in light of London’s Secto 8 repeated Cairo 119 I have following comments to offer re new British Suez proposals.
- 1.
- I assume that UK Government has done some re-thinking of politico-military strategy. I also assume that civilian contract idea is largely designed to help British Government over domestic political difficulties by avoiding appearance of outright scuttle in Egypt. (This is only justification of idea I can see since it is obviously inconsistent with previous UK insistence on necessity for British military technical control.)
- 2.
- I think implied UK decision to withdraw troops from Egypt is wise one (although it is late) and I approve civilian contract principle on assumption it will help British Government implement that decision. British military in base, incidentally, appear enthusiastic over prospect of getting out.
- 3.
- I agree with Stevenson that idea offers but slight margin of superiority over old formula (its principal merit being total withdrawal of British troops). I am furthermore concerned lest proposal be put up to Egypt in such form as to nullify large measure of [Page 2263] agreement already reached and to provoke serious objections and renewed suspicions on part of Egyptians. (My telegram 1137)
In light of foregoing I would strongly urge that every effort be made to avoid presenting Egyptians with elaborate, detailed proposal for foreign civilian contract maintenance on terms which GOE would be likely to reject. Particularly objectionable from Egyptian viewpoint would be British military inspectorate (mixed inspectorate might be less so). Also suggested numbers of foreign technicians appear exorbitant in view of proposed installation reductions although this might be offset somewhat by proposal to train Egyptian replacements.
Presentation of basic idea in somewhat general form is much more likely to evoke favourable Egyptian response. Details of operation, nature of firm to be employed, question of US participation, etc could be worked out quietly over negotiating table with US helping “behind the scenes” as usual.
- Repeated priority to London as telegram 428 for the Secretary of State.↩
- Not printed; see footnote 2, Document 1316.↩