Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Arab-Israeli Dispute, January 1–July 26, 1956, Volume XV

463. Memorandum of a Conversation Between the Counselor of the French Embassy (de Laboulaye) and the Officer in Charge of Egypt-Sudan Affairs (Geren), Department of State, Washington, July 16, 1956¹

Washington, July 16, 1956

SUBJECT

• Canadian Arms Proposal; French Arms Problems; Aswan Dam

Mr. de Laboulaye asked whether the Canadian Government had secured United States concurrence in its proposal for a multinational consideration of the whole question of arms for Israel and the creation of an armament pool for that country. Mr. Geren replied that the Canadians have discussed the Near East arms question with us several times and we understand that they are discussing the multi-national idea with other friendly countries. We are not in a position to predict the final outcome of this matter. Mr. de Laboulaye explained the current French position on arms shipments to Israel as follows: Various elements in the French Government including several Ministers and many members of the Defense Ministry wish to send huge quantities of arms to Israel. The Quai d’Orsay, however, is anxious to preserve the best possible position with the Arab countries. It is difficult for the Quai d’Orsay to resist the pressure of other elements of the French Government in the arms matter and some maneuvering is required. At the last NEACC meeting the French presented their list as “arms requested by Israel”. The British, Americans and Italians took the position that they could only pass on the matter after the French had declared their intentions to deliver.² Mr. de Laboulaye appreciated this position. His Ambassador has been instructed to request a meeting of the Ambassadorial Committee in the hope of getting a concerted policy on shipment of arms for Israel… .

Mr. Geren replied that previous Ambassadorial Committee meetings indicated it would be difficult for the French to secure a joint assessment of the Israeli need and the creation of a pool from which to meet the need; that United States Representatives in the previous NEACC meeting had said we inclined to sympathetic consideration of the French request, once it was stated in the form of an intention to deliver; that sympathetic consideration did not necessarily mean approval of every item and in the precise quantity requested; and that Mr. Geren had no authority to commit the United States in advance about its position in the NEACC meeting.

On the Aswan High Dam, Mr. de Laboulaye wished to know whether a decision one way or the other would come out of Ambassador Hussein’s visit with the Secretary upon his return.³ Mr. Geren said that we have had this matter under consideration and still have it under consideration, and that no decision had been taken yet. Mr. de Laboulaye recalled his prediction in a former conversation that the United States would reach final agreement to do the Aswan High Dam. Mr. Geren refused to verify the prediction and said there were indications on both sides and that the matter could only be settled by a decision at a high level. Mr. de Laboulaye recalled Mr. Lincoln White’s statement of last week that the offer still stands.⁴ Mr. Geren said he would prefer the language: The offer has not been withdrawn. Mr. Geren emphasized the necessity of Egyptian agreement with the Sudan as a condition which the Egyptians themselves had said must be satisfied before construction can begin.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 784A.56/7–1656. Drafted on July 18 by Geren.
2. The minutes of the NEACC meeting held July 3 are Ibid., G/PM/MC Files: Lot 66 D 428, NEACC Minutes M–42 to M–72.
3. See Document 478.
4. On July 6, White issued a statement to this effect, but pointed out that the funds originally earmarked for the Aswan Dam had been allocated to other projects. (Transcript of the Department of State Daily Press Briefing, July 6; Department of State, S/PRS Files: Lot 77 D 11)