Office of the Historian

745W.00/5–252: Telegram

No. 979
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom1

top secret
niact
Washington, May 2, 1952—7:23 p.m.

5656. Secy informed Brit Amb May 2 that after most careful consideration US had concluded it not able present to King and Egypt [Page 1798] Govt Sudan formula set forth Deptel 5596 Apr 302 and as amended London’s 4957 May 1.3 Secy told Brit Amb that we had consulted with Caffery and outlined our thinking as contained Depreftel which indicated our desire to be as helpful as poss to UK. Secy said we did not believe formula wld be acceptable to Egypts even with US support and we therefore considered US assoc with specific text might greatly reduce our utility to assist in Anglo-Egypt prob. Secy also told Amb we felt presentation formula and its probable rejection by Egypts wld make further negots more difficult. However, formula might have already been presented but if not this was matter purely for UK to decide.

Finally Secy informed Brit Amb that regardless whether formula presented or not US prepared instr Caffery see King and speak along lines alternative procedure set forth Deptel 5596. However, Caffery wld not be so instrd until we had confirmation from UK either thru Gifford or Dept that it agreeable this procedure.

Brit Amb said he wld report above immed to FonOff. He added info from Cairo indicated Stevenson wld probably present formula to PriMin and FonMin together May 3 but this still subj final London clearance.4

Acheson
  1. Repeated niact to Cairo as telegram 1696. Drafted by Stabler and approved by Berry.↩
  2. Printed as telegram 1680 to Cairo, Document 976.↩
  3. In telegram 4957 from London, May 1, not printed, Ambassador Gifford reported that the Foreign Office had changed the last clause of the final sentence of the Sudan formula to read: “in order to ascertain whether any solution is possible consistent with the pledges which HMG have given to the Sudanese people, and to which they adhere.” (641.74/5–152)↩

  4. Ambassador Gifford reported the Foreign Office reaction to Secretary Acheson’s conversation with Ambassador Franks in telegram 4996 from London, May 3, not printed. It reads as follows:

    “FonOff has informed us that Eden wld be grateful if Caffery wld see King as soon as possible and speak to him along lines alternative procedure set forth Deptel 5596 Apr 30.

    “FonOff has instructed Stevenson proceed with presentation formula to Hilali and Hassouna, feeling HMG obliged to do so in view Egyptian attitude and fact that formula expected after last ten days’ activity here in London.” (745W.00/5–352)

    The Department of State then transmitted the text of telegram 4996 to Ambassador Caffery in Cairo in telegram 1703, May 3. In addition, Caffery was instructed to pursue as soon as possible the alternative course of action outlined in telegram 1680, Document 976. (745W.00/5–352)

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