122. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State1
Cairo, February 23,
1956—midnight.
1666. This is message no. 2 referred to in Embtel 1664.2Begin verbatim text.
Following are Vice President’s comments on British aide-mémoire subject to his considerations recorded in my telegram under reference.
- (a)
- Preamble. Omission of the description.
- (b)
- Preamble. Omission of portion relating to division of project into stages (see paragraph 3 (b) of my telegram under reference).3
- (c)
- Preamble. Omission of reference to request of Government of Egypt.
- (d)
- Preamble. Omission of sentence beginning “The bank, the Government of the UK and the U.S. Govt have conferred.” He thought this unnecessary since documents were now to be given simultaneously by the two governments and the bank.
- (e)
- Paragraph 1. The description of grant as an “initial grant” without reference to stages.
- (f)
- Paragraph 1. Omission of all reference to sterling balance releases as not relevant.
- (g)
- Paragraph 2. Omission of reference to subsequent grant in view of the description of the 5.5 million pounds as an initial grant.
- (h)
- Paragraph 2. Reference to Nile waters rights to be changed to wording in the bank letter i.e. “satisfactory solution of the legal problems affecting the High Dam project.”
- (i)
- Paragraph 2. Specific statement that the good offices of HMG should be used in helping the Government of Egypt to solve all the legal points covering the construction of the dam.
- (j)
- Paragraph 2 (a). U.S. grant to be described as “initial grant” omitting mention of first stage.
- (k)
- Paragraph 2 (a). Omit the whole of the remainder of this clause.
- (1)
- Paragraph 2 (b). First sentence to be reworded as in the bank letter.
- (m)
- Paragraph 2 (b). Second sentence not necessary since this is covered by the previous sentence.
- (n)
- Paragraph 2 (b). Surely a provision about publicity would not be necessary. The promises of grants were already well publicized.
- (o)
- Paragraph 2 (b). Information should be given by the Government of Egypt to bank since they are to spend the funds and the governments can obtain it from the bank.
- (p)
- Paragraph 2 (c). Wording to be assimilated to the bank’s letter.
- (q)
- Paragraph 2 (d). Wording to be assimilated to the bank’s letter.
- (r)
- Paragraph 2 (e). Omit reference to “project described in (a) above” and assimilate to wording of the bank’s letter concerning international competition.
2. I am checking these comments with Vice President and will let you know any amendments. My comments are in my following telegram.4End verbatim text.
Byroade