Office of the Historian

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

Cairo,May 12, 1955—7 p.m.

1696. Reference mytel 1685 May 10.2

1)
Burns letter (mytel 16863) handed Kheirat Said by UN reps afternoon 10th.Burns met with Abd Al Hakim Amer Minister of War for two hours evening same day and left for Gaza May 11th.Burns letter reviewed by Kheiratsaid, Gohar and Radwan (Chief Arab Affairs FonOff) May 10 and 11.
2)
EmbOff saw Gohar today. Latter, who was relaxed and cheerful in sharp contrast to agitation he had shown May 7 (mytel 16714), said:
A)
Burns had informed Govt of Egypt he under instructions SYG to arrange high level talks, as best means reduce border tensions in view lack of authority of Shalev (“my opposite number”) to commit his govt.Burns had stressed that Govt of Egypt acceptance direct talks between civilians (eg “Ambassadors”) would also strengthen hand of Sharett and Israeli FonOff in combating activist policies of Ben Gurion and IDF. Egypt, Gohar commented, had no desire be used as “cat’s paw” in connection Israeli elections or intra mural quarrels.
B)
Govt of Egypt had “unofficial but sure” information Israelis had deliberately instructed Shalev arrange failure negots between him and Gohar in order justify Israeli contention “high level talks” essential.
C)
Govt of Egypt now preparing reply Burns letter (mytel 1686). Reply will reaffirm desire cooperate on latter’s 4 “concrete proposals” but will categorically reject direct talks on political level.
D)
Govt of Egypt has no intention naming any one other than Gohar to talk with Israelis. (Gohar confirmed Burns had mentioned Riyad5 as possible Egyptian representative. He described the suggestion as “ludicrous” in view Riyad’s current task in Syria.)
E)
Israeli patrol attack from demilitarized zone of Al Auja on Egyptian position at 7 AM yesterday (during Burns visit) resulting in death two Egyptian soldiers when linked with Israeli refusal accept joint patrols proposal made clear Israeli bad faith. He would not be surprised if Israelis, having failed achieve direct talks, now launch new attacks against Egyptians. “If this happens, we will be ready for them.”
3)
Govt of Egypt press coverage Burns visit continued extensive emphasizing Egyptian cooperation on 4 points and omitting any reference direct talks issue in obvious effort counteract Israeli attempt seek propaganda victory by playing up Egyptian refusal direct talks.
4)
Comment: Categoric Govt of Egypt refusal “direct talks” firmly based on Govt of Egypt appraisal effect such talks on regimes internal stability and external objectives particularly ESS pact. In view unlikelihood this position will be altered, it appears only chance implement Burns 4 “concrete proposals” is for Israelis prove good faith by agreeing negotiate with Gohar as responsible Govt of Egypt nominee for this purpose. In my opinion Israeli willingness to abandon “direct talks” in favor practical cooperation at operational level may be only alternative to discrediting of UNTSO efforts as “ineffective” and renewed border clashes of greater intensity.

In connection Israeli refusal accept joint patrols, it is of interest that Burns confirmed to me at our meeting May 9 reports which had reached Embassy from other sources that “provocative maneuvering of Israeli patrols close to the border” was major cause present border tension.

Byroade
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/5–1255. Secret. Received at 10:50 p.m. Repeated to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Amman, Jidda, Damascus, Baghdad, Paris, London, and Beirut.↩
  2. Document 93.↩
  3. Not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/5–1055)↩
  4. Not printed. (Ibid., 674.84A/5–955)↩
  5. General Mahmoud Riad, Egyptian Ambassador in Syria.↩