509. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State1
143. From Hart. British Embassy has told us that in course conversation last night Fawzi told British Ambassador that he had agreed with Hammarskjold to leave timing and method of first stage up to latter. Fawzi said he hoped Hammarskjold would begin soon rather than waiting for conditions along the borders to improve. After all if first stage really got underway improvement border conditions might logically ensue.
Fawzi told Trevelyan Egyptian Govt believed progress this matter was desirable of itself; moreover progress should also help improve relations between Egypt and West. But improvement relations would be difficult unless there was at least minimum of mutual cooperation. Trevelyan interprets caveat as reference to possible implications Western withdrawal from financing High Dam.
Fawzi said Hammarskjold had agreed not to report on his discussions to UN so that if leaks should take place Egypt would be able to deny any conversations had taken place.
Fawzi told Trevelyan no progress had been made on Al Auja. Egyptians held to their demand for mutual withdrawal whereas Israelis insisted on linking their withdrawal from D/Z to Suez Canal question which in GOE view not only unrelated implementation of articles seven and eight but extraneous to GAA as whole. Fawzi noted some progress had been made on stationing of observers in Gaza area but appeared concerned over situation along Jordanian border.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/7–2656. Secret; Limited Distribution. Received at 8:55 p.m. Repeated to London and Tel Aviv.↩