139. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State1
Cairo,June 29,
1955—11 a.m.
1975.Deptel 2229.2
- 1.
- Following . . . summarizes information available Embassy re Soviet
bloc arms offers to Egypt.
- a.
- Presumably as result arms purchasing trip to Europe in spring 1955 of Hasan Ibrahim and Minister Commerce Marei, Czechs shipped unspecified number (probably about 17) T–er tanks to Egypt which arrived in knocked-down condition. Tanks have not yet been assembled and Egyptians appear unable to assemble them. Egyptians now said to be claiming Czechs did not send all parts required.
- b.
- Czech trade mission proposed to deliver in exchange cotton unspecified number of military aircraft. Egyptians anxious receive shipment as RCC reported to have decided station AF unit Syria by first July.
- 2.
- Soviet Ambassador Solod called on Nasser May 21… . Solod renewed offer Soviet technological and economic assistance, including help on high dam.Nasser showed no interest, but asked if USSR willing barter “certain items heavy artillery” for cotton. Solod replied he authorized give affirmative answer, that USSR could ship items requested in six weeks.Nasser indicated any training Egyptian officers in use Soviet artillery would have to be in USSR.
- 3.
- No arms purchase mission to Moscow appears to have been formed as yet.
- 4.
- Despatch requested reftel being prepared.
Byroade
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 774.56/6–2955. Secret. Received at 1:03 p.m.↩
- See footnote 2, Document 136.↩