Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1955, Volume XIV

90. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State¹

Cairo,May 5, 1955—6 p.m.

1654. Discussions with Nasser regarding Alpha probably will not be resumed for about a week. Unless he takes initiative consider it best my first discussions with him be on other matters such as Bandung, local problems, and situation in Arab states. Further, do not wish push rapidly for discussion on any detail in absence of Fawzi. While Fawzi lacking real authority, he is one of few here knowledgeable on elements of problem falling outside of purely Egyptian-Israeli aspects.

Am prepared resume discussions on basis Department telegram 1906, repeated London 5626,² but Department should now consider eventual failure almost a certainty if no more appealing proposal regarding Negev can be developed than cross-triangles approach in extreme south.³

Byroade

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/5–555. Top Secret; Alpha. Received at 8:34 p.m. Repeated to London.
2. Document 86.
3. The Department informed Byroade on May 9 that the Foreign Office had informed the British Embassy that Stevenson was not to approach Nasser until after he had commented on the approach suggested in the minutes of the recent London meetings and had in turn received further instructions from the Foreign Office. Therefore,Byroade was “authorized exercise your discretion re timing and scope your further talks with Nasser on Alpha in light above.” (Telegram 1949 to Cairo; Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/5–555)