383. Telegram From the Embassy in the Sudan to the Department of State1
337. Reference: Deptel May 29 [23].2 Following is elaboration last parts 328.3
Immediate primary Sudanese interest is centered on obtaining adequate allocation Nile water for greater Fizera (Managil and Kanana schemes including Roseires Dam) expanding pumping schemes and Atbara River development (estimated additional need around 16 billion cubic meters) but Sudanese counterproposal storage Aswan as presently conceived with its high evaporation losses call for considerations storage possibilities equatorial lakes (Victoria, Kioga and Albert) and Tana. Such development would require international agreement all countries involved. It is possible therefore Sudan might support international control if issue raised, particularly if it raised by Ethiopia with which Sudan on excellent terms. Consider Azharis political situation too insecure and other parties too divided to risk arousing open hostility Egypt by proposing questions themselves, they might not even dare support it at this time. Possible claims other riparian states are two-edged sword. On one hand, they might tend support demands against Egypt and on other excessive claims could squeeze both Sudan and Egypt.
Unless international Nile Valley control essential prevent USSR penetration Egypt and Sudan and Department believes it would be effective, it inadvisable for US take any initiative to raise our support such issue now. Most Sudanese officials firmly convinced agreement with Egypt on water division remote in spite optimistic statement result this visit Cairo by Minister of Agriculture4 and inauguration complicated international control attempt keep USSR out of area does not seem necessary.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 874.2614/6–156. Top Secret. Received at 9:03 a.m., June 2.↩
- Reference is presumably to telegram 226, Document 362.↩
- Document 372.↩
- Mirghani Hamza.↩