436. Editorial Note
On August 5, British Ambassador Makins transmitted a personal message from Foreign Secretary Lloyd to Secretary Dulles. The text of Lloyd’s message reads as follows:
“The Crown Prince of Iraq and Nuri Pasha tackled me on Friday about the 40 Centurion tanks which they hope to get by way of offshore purchase. Iraq is the one Arab country in the Middle East from which the West has any hope of solid support in dealing with Nasser. Nuri has shown himself most resolute and sensible in his conversations with me. But he has made it clear that the satisfaction of their arms requirements is of first importance if he is to keep the army and the country behind him.
“I know this presents difficulties for you but I really think that a quick assurance to the Iraqis that the United States will finance the order for these Centurions may be of vital importance. Could you possibly do this?
“I hope you had a good flight back and were not too tired.” (Department of State, Central Files, 787.56/8–556)
In a letter of August 8, Dulles replied to Lloyd as follows:
“I am pleased to inform you that the Department of Defense is now proceeding to the off-shore procurement of the forty Centurion tanks for Iraq included within the fiscal year 1957 program. The Department of the Army will shortly be querying the War Office as to delivery dates. The Iraqis would like to use these tanks in their Army Day celebration on January 6, 1957 and the Department of the Army hopes that this deadline can be met.” (Ibid., 787.5–MSP/8–855)
On August 6, Secretary Dulles had discussed this subject with Ambassador Makins in a telephone conversation. A record of this conversation, transcribed by Phyllis D. Bernau, reads as follows:
“The Sec. referred to the message yesterday—he thinks the answer is substantially affirmative though he is not able yet to confirm the precise number, but you can expect an affirmative response within a few days. The Sec. mentioned the question of their own production availabilities—M. thought they were all right. The Sec. said perhaps they are. You are quite sure they are going to be shooting in the right direction. M. thinks so—both the King and PM are in London. The Sec. understands they have come out publicly supporting Egypt. M. said that was the report though he has not seen the text yet. The Sec. said we want pretty strong assurance from you—there won’t be delivery for several months—we expect to keep a string on it.” (Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers)