119. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Egypt 1
1999. You are requested deliver following personal message to Prime Minister Nasser from Ambassador Eric Johnston: “Dear Mr. Prime Minister: When I left Cairo last October following the meeting of the Arab League on the Jordan Valley Plan, it was your opinion that Arab acceptance of the project would be possible after the lapse of several months. A similar opinion was expressed to me at that time by the Foreign Ministers of Lebanon and Syria, both of whom assured me that the action of the League implied only a short delay and not in any sense a rejection of the project.
[Page 225]As I told you in Cairo, the constructive influence of the Government of Egypt and particularly of yourself has been a major factor in evolving an economically sound and technically feasible plan which assures and protects the interests of the Arab states. In discussing the project with the President and the Secretary of State, I have emphasized your helpful and forward looking part in the negotiations and your assurance that you would continue to exercise good offices in behalf of the plan’s ultimate acceptance. For my own part, I have placed great reliance on your assurance of continued cooperation, and it is for that reason that I now approach you on the question of renewing our active consideration of the matter.
My government continues to regard the Jordan Valley plan as a basic economic development project which need not and should not become involved with political issues. While I am aware that certain political questions bear inevitably on the attitudes of some of the Arab governments toward the project, I am hopeful that the final decision of the Arab states will be made on the basis of economic and social benefit rather than of political considerations.
You will understand, I am sure, that it is impossible for me to leave the matter in abeyance indefinitely; and, since three and a half months have elapsed since the Cairo meeting, it would seem appropriate at this time to reopen the question and to ask when the Arab states will be prepared to take a final, and, I hope, favorable decision on the plan. It is not my intention to press unduly, but I am obliged to try to bring the matter to a conclusion as soon as possible.
I should therefore greatly appreciate any initiative which you might feel it possible to take at this time to support an early favorable decision by the states concerned. While my personal affairs now take me to the Far East for a short time, I am prepared to meet with the Foreign Ministers of the Arab countries at any time and place they choose, either in or out of the region, if it should appear that such a meeting would be productive.
With appreciation for any personal action you may take and my warmest personal regards. Eric Johnston”
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.85322/2–2356. Confidential. Drafted by Johnston, cleared with Ludlow, and approved by Rountree who signed for Dulles. Repeated to London, Paris, Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ankara, and Baghdad and Jidda by pouch.↩