641.74/6–2854: Telegram
No. 1337
The Secretary of
State to the Embassy in
Egypt1
priority
1602. For Caffery. Herewith Agreed Minute on Egypt, referred to in immediately preceding Deptel.
Verbatim Text.
“The British stated their intention to place their new proposals as discussed in the Washington talks before the Egyptians in the immediate future. The US agreed to follow up the British approach, stressing their support for the British proposals. After the approach has been made, the British plan to make public announcement that they have taken the initiative in resuming discussions, unless it develops in their talks that greater progress can be made on a secret basis. If the British make such an announcement, the U.S. would make a statement welcoming the resumption of negotiations [Page 2278] and emphasizing the importance from the US point of view of early agreement.
“If the Suez Base talks start satisfactorily the US would begin negotiating with Egypt the necessary cover agreements required before US assistance can be extended. It is understood that these agreements would not be signed prior to signature of the Heads of Agreement between the British and the Egyptians on the Suez Base. Should protracted delays result due to unforeseen circumstances further consultations might be required regarding the extension of US assistance.
“The US agreed that, while there should be no legal connection between the Suez Base agreement and the US assistance agreements, a way would be found to indicate to the Egyptians that US assistance would be conditioned upon Egyptian fulfillment of the Base Agreement. This should be accomplished in a manner which would not indicate to the Egyptians an advance distrust that they would in fact not live up to the agreement.
“The US also agreed to support publicly the principle of freedom of transit through the Suez Canal to be reaffirmed by the British and Egyptians.”
- Repeated priority to London as telegram 7145. Drafted and approved by Byroade.↩