284. Telegram From the Department of State to the Secretary of State, at New York1
Tedul 2. Secretary from Under Secretary. Following niact 507 from Cairo:2
“. . .GOE acceptance Soviet arms offer likely . . . (possibly tomorrow):
“GOE military mission now in Moscow; Soviet offer said to be almost embarrassing in size . . . .”
We are wiring Cairo:3
“In your discretion you may advise GOE that consummation of agreement along lines indicated would create most serious public reaction in US and greatly complicate our ability cooperate with them.
“Furthermore, it would place an extremely heavy load our shoulders to try maintain balance in our relations with the area.
“Will forward additional comment shortly.”
You may wish discuss this development with Nutting this evening.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 774.56/9–1955. Top Secret. Drafted by Hoover and approved by Stutesman, who signed for Hoover.Dulles was in New York for the opening of the Tenth Regular Session of the U.N. General Assembly, which convened on September 20.↩
- Telegram 507 was sent at 5 p.m. (Cairo time) and received at 5:56 p.m., September 19. (Ibid.)↩
- Telegram 533, September 19, was sent niact at 9 p.m. to Cairo with the instruction “Ambassador from Under Secretary”. (Ibid.)↩