641.74/8–452: Telegram
No. 998
The Acting
Secretary of State to the Embassy
in the United Kingdom1
811. 1. Future course events Egypt still remains sufficiently unclear to prevent formulation any firm policy re possible coop with present Egypt regime.
2. Such signs as decision not convoke Wafd Parl, statements by Egypt mil officials re desire coop with West, gen restrained atmosphere and continuance constit monarchy (when radical change was possible. are encouraging.
3. On other hand, possibility of dissension among junta surrounding Naguib, complications and difficulties in formulating and executing anti-graft and corruption program, Wafd attitude as revealed in Party manifesto, civilian versus mil stresses and strains, and other uncertainties wld seem to pt to probable future difficulties tending to make structure present regime shaky.
4. Notwithstanding question marks and obscurities re Egypt future, we believe there is possibility that Egypt mil may wish to come to understanding with UK on Canal Base. While polit shibboleths “unity and evacuation” are standard among all groups, there is some reason to believe that Egypt mil coopn with the West involving West mil assistance wld have sufficient appeal so that Sudan problem might be handled separately from Base issue.
5. In view potentialities (altho we admit not necessarily probabilities) new sit created by coup, we think UK wld do well lose no time in formulating in detail settlement they wld like achieve with respect to CZ Base, i.e., technicians, phasing of evacuation, etc.
6. Reason we make this suggestion is that if new Egypt regime shld appear ready resume negots and adopt reasonable line, UK wld be in position move quickly take advantage favorable atmosphere.
7. We hope UK in formulating detailed settlement wld be as forthcoming as possible since important in discussion with Egypt [Page 1848] mil wld be initial favorable impact UK offer settlement. We feel Brits wld stand to gain in long run if they decided beforehand what pts they are likely have to concede and offered them in generous spirit, thereby creating climate favorable to successful negots.
8. Pls discuss above with FonOff soonest and say that we shld be glad to have oppy study proposals in hope reaching common agreement. This in turn wld enable us if and when time comes to help put them over.
- Repeated to Cairo as telegram 236. Drafted by Stabler and approved by Byroade.↩