223. Message From the Embassy in Egypt to the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (Allen)1
Last night we came very close to having real trouble here. By late afternoon I had come to believe it possibly true that orders had in fact been issued for heavy attack on some 6 or 8 separate Israeli objectives along borders, although Hakim Amer assured me border was quiet (which of course it was at the time of our conversation). Matter delicate to handle as one of greatest past difficulties of this embassy has been suspicion that we are attempting to penetrate Army. Had to weigh possibilities being able to stop attack if it had in fact been ordered against long range harm that could accure [accrue] to us by appearing to have such information. Decided however about midnight, knowing that all appointments RCC members had been cancelled and they had been in continuous session since early afternoon, that the chance should be taken. Besides the obvious danger, to be prevented at all times if at all possible, such action by Egypt would have been particularly disastrous in connection timing and receipt of Secretary’s speech. Unable reach Hakim Amer and there was long delay after which it obvious Zakaria Mohiud Din had been picked to return my call. I told him I had received an additional excited cable from Washington.2 Still not clear but it obvious Washington extremely concerned re possibility developments along border. Told him I had no clue as to Washington sources of concern but that . . . there might be real effort made to draw Egypt into a trap prior to delivery of speech. Told him I knew enough of contents of speech to know that it an extremely good development for Arab side and what a great pity it would be if Egypt would be drawn into action which might either cancel speech or cause radical change in text. Zakaria said he understood the point and appreciated the concern.RCC meeting lasted until daybreak and we have reliable info orders given cancelling operation. There some chance these orders not reaching certain small units which could yet result in some action but probably most limited. Will probably never know part my action with Hakim Amer and Zakaria had in cancellation of orders. Regret necessity of tactics used but could see no other [Page 399] way that we could afford here at moment and would guess the peg of Sec’s speech did give us opportunity to be effective. This near action by Egyptians undoubtedly came as result of Nasser’s public commitment to avenge further deaths at hands of Israeli so my guess is there was lively time in RCC discussions last evening and hope some day we able find out stand taken by various members.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/8–2755. Top Secret. The source text is incorrectly dated August 27. This telegram was typed on a plain sheet of paper and contains no information on agency identification. Although it appears to be a Department of State message, it was not transmitted through Department channels.↩
- No copies of these telegrams have been found in Department of State files.↩