741.56374/4–2354: Telegram
No. 1328
The Acting
Secretary of State to the Embassy
in the United Kingdom1
5751. Re London’s 4694.2 We prepared become party to tripartite agreement for future maintenance and operation base if this would [Page 2267] assist in obtaining settlement. Unless Egypt well as UK desires our participation attempt to push tripartite agreement would have opposite effect. Our decision associate ourselves with new British proposals did not imply commitment become party to agreement regardless circumstances. Our intention was to throw our full influence with Egyptians behind proposals and assist best our ability and to extent desired by UK in presenting them to Egyptians.
We concur Cairo’s 1357 that presentation to Egyptians agreed US–UK proposal for tripartite agreement during first phase discussions would jeopardize chances success. However UK–Egyptian “agreement in principle” could include same statement that if both desire, availability may be extended to third party, and if both desire, third party may participate in future operation and maintenance Base. If after conclusion “agreement in principle” Egypt concurs in US becoming party to tripartite agreement for operation and maintenance we prepared to do so. Otherwise technical annex covering maintenance and operation appears best way meet this problem.
Since Eden requested quick action on March 17 we have endeavored advance suggestions on tactics and procedure on urgent basis. Our concentration on speed based on conviction prospects for agreement and our ability to assist steadily waning with passage time.
Embassy requested discuss with Foreign Office along above lines.
FYI only: We would like avoid letting situation drag along undeterminable time until end Geneva Conference and Eden’s return London. Request Embassy’s views whether HMG still desires carry through with new proposals.
Because of resulting complications we prefer avoid tripartite agreement but provided Egypt agrees are prepared participate if necessary to induce UK proceed with proposals. Does Embassy believe our participation in agreement essential?
End FYI.
- Repeated to Cairo as telegram 1336.↩
- See footnote 3, Document 1325.↩