440. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Egypt1
1181. For Byroade from Secretary. In long talk with Sharett today,2 I probed deeply into question of possible settlement along lines of my talks with Fawzi in San Francisco3 and Washington.4 While discussion was inconclusive and Sharett took stubborn attitude on territorial matters, I did not get impression he closed doors irrevocably. His repeated emphasis was against “territorial cessions” but was willing to talk about “mutual adjustments” and did not insist that Israeli losses had to be matched acre for acre by gains.
I think it would be useful for you to let Nasser or Fawzi know that my talk was in consequence of our discussions with them and that I am doing everything possible to achieve early progress.5
[Page 836]FYI I have in mind that press may give impression, perhaps through information by Israeli Embassy, that I have been discussing settlement with Sharett behind Egypt’s back. Summary of discussion will follow in subsequent telegram.6
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/12–655. Top Secret;Niact. Drafted by Allen; approved and signed by Dulles.↩
- See Document 437.↩
- See Document 138.↩
- See footnote 3, Document 150.↩
- Byroade reported in telegram 1098 from Cairo, December 8, that he had told Fawzi about Dulles’ talk with Sharett along the lines suggested in this telegram. (Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/12–855)↩
- Transmitted in telegram 1229 to Cairo, December 10, also sent to Tel Aviv and London; not printed. (Ibid., 684A.86/12–1055)↩