351. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State1
2260… . Nasser working himself into state on believing … that decision taken Paris that piecemeal supply armament to Israel by various nations would continue until arms strength of Israel exceeded that of Arabs. He also being told past reassuring statements by President2 and Secretary3 part of cover plan to lull Egypt into complacency this subject.
We dismiss latter point saying these men of integrity who would not be party to subterfuge. However believe it inevitable US in end will receive more blame than France or other supplying nations.
We doing indirectly what we can calm situation but are without record Paris talks. Inclined to believe, whatever decision taken in Paris, would have been best to have frankly informed Nasser rather than let him react to … perhaps exaggerated … reports.
Assume Department has kept in mind frequent predictions by this Embassy that any appreciable arms to Israel will result in additional orders from Soviet bloc. There is some reason to believe talks on this subject already underway with Russians here.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 784A.56/5–1656. Secret; Priority. Received at 7:19 p.m. Repeated to Tel Aviv, London, Paris, Amman, Baghdad, Beirut, Jidda, and Damascus.↩
- See footnote 2, Document 258.↩
- See footnote 5, Document 131.↩