121. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State1
1871. Called upon Fawzi tonight at my request to urge early acceptance proposition by Burns contained Jerusalem telegram 171 to Cairo.2
Fawzi most cordial and talkative. Stated they would not be “inactive” re Burns message. He meeting late tonight with advisers and then Nasser. Council of Ministers apparently also meeting tonight.
I stated as I familiar with Burns message because use our communications I felt it incumbent upon me urge early positive response. Message after all indicated Israelis had abandoned Foreign Office participation and it seemed clear political subjects would not be involved. Also “Generals” were specified which ruled out Ben Gurion participation. Message clearly states Israelis willing talk about Nasser’s proposal and would seem to indicate even joint patrols might be discussed.
Fawzi said he glad I had come and he would pass along my feeling acceptance best for Egypt re Burns use our channels and memo handed me earlier today (my telegram 18653) wished say he [Page 235] convinced US not up to any underhand or partial attitude this situation as continuation present dangerous drift not in US interest. He hopeful as to Egypt’s decision.
One matter of concern to him (which I was fearful would be the case) was specific reference to “one kilometer” withdrawal. He reiterated that what Nasser had suggested was principle of “no-mans-land” without prejudging specific lines. I told him I thought Egypt would have logical position if they took this attitude in conference. It clear however they worried about this as Fawzi said he made this point clear in his last conversation with Burns and wondered why specific distance still retained by him.
As to representatives, he said repeated reference “level” rather amazing. They prepared pick man of ability who could speak for GOE and this should be adequate. I urged, nevertheless, that they meet stipulated rank of General. He said thought they could, but smiled and said after all Prime Minister was only Lieutenant Colonel.
My net impression is that Fawzi will try hard for acceptance. He seems worried about agenda which I cautioned they not quibble about in view Burns’ message.
Following above subject, had general foreign policy exchange which was most encouraging since my arrival. As am seeing Nasser tomorrow will withhold report until see nature that meeting.4
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/6–855. Secret; Priority. Received at 12:04 a.m., June 9. Also sent priority to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Repeated to London, Paris, Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Baghdad, and Jidda. Passed to USUN.↩
- See footnote 2, Document 119.↩
- Telegram 1865 transmitted the text of a June 8 memorandum from the Egyptian Foreign Office replying to an Embassy memorandum of June 4 (sent in accordance with the instructions in Document 112). The Egyptian memorandum declared that Israel was “obstructing, under flimsy pretexts, all proposals aiming at easing border tension” while Egypt was implementing them. It concluded: “In view of what precedes, the Egyptian Govt deprecates the assumption made in the memo in question that it lacks respect for the Armistice Agreement and wishes to trust that the Govt of the United States will in future desist from leveling at the Govt of Egypt such free accusations or to couch its communications in terms which are hardly becoming to the best traditions of internatl parlance.” (Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/ 6–855)↩
- See footnote 10, Document 120.↩