98. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State1
1725. Shortly after dispatch EmbTel 17182Nasser gave me appointment his office.
In contrast previous encounters found Nasser reserved and cautious. Although meeting lengthy, conversation was devoted almost entirely to irritations and complaints along lines paragraph 1 above reference telegram. Not all items above reference emerged but several others along same general line were added. Attempted take each case and get to bottom of matter. In most cases he not forthcoming but on some produced “specific evidence” involving alleged activities U.S. personnel. He several times attempted to dismiss entire matter which I refused to allow. Told him I could not allow unsubstantiated charges against U.S. Government or Embassy without being allowed opportunity to get at bottom of these accusations. We finally agreed that he would send Ali Sabri to me personally with any new charges that are reported against U.S. as soon as they came to his attention.
While Nasser professed he himself did not believe many of these accusations, there no doubt he is extremely suspicious. Most obvious conclusion for this area would seem to be that he deliberately trying to put U.S. on defensive for some tactical purpose. Do not however believe this the case as Nasser personally somewhat incapable such acting. Am more inclined believe he has gone through a period since his return of really fearing U.S. may be turning against him. His training and experience might lead him to conclude that it would be logical for U.S. to work against him personally whenever our policies do not coincide. There are indications that he concerned U.S. should not be allowed strengthen its present capabilities to penetrate his support for possible use against him. Last week he took steps to restrict army officer contacts with Americans. (These now noticeably easing.)
It will be interesting to see effect of our talk upon him. Only indication as yet is that press gave meeting great publicity.3
Nature of conversation was not such as to raise other topics than U.S.-Egyptian relations. Gained impression, however, that E.S.S. [Page 190] Pact4 not about to move forward. He stated that Syrian amendments imposing obligations upon Egypt still as they were prior to Bandung and that nothing had really happened of late to change situation.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 774.00/5–1755. Secret; Priority. Received at 8:51 p.m. Repeated to Amman, Beirut, Baghdad, Damascus, Jidda, Ankara, London, and Paris.↩
- See footnote 2, supra.↩
- Byroade reported on May 26 from Cairo that “there are many indications atmosphere re U.S.-Egyptian relations improving considerably.” (Telegram 1785; Department of State, Central Files, 611.74/5–2655)↩
- Reference is to the proposed Saudi-Syrian-Egyptian Pact. See footnote 6, Document 58.↩