528. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State1
Cairo, November
6, 1956—11 a.m.
1345. Following is my comment on Niact 1447.2
- (1)
- I have not seen Nasser since Friday November 2 when I delivered President’s reply to his message. There was no discussion at that time, nor had there been previously, of any question of Nasser’s resignation. Only comment in Friday’s discussion which might be considered as having indirect bearing on subject reference telegram was expression Nasser’s intention not even evacuate his family.
- (2)
- … contacts with government sources have revealed varying degrees despondency as situation progressed especially re destruction Egyptian Air Force but there has never been any intimation of [Page 1030] intention Nasser or government to resign. On contrary attitude has been “if they want us, let them come and get us”.
- (3)
- I have constantly borne in mind throughout crisis necessity of separating questions of Anglo-French-Israeli attacks on Egypt and continuance of Nasser regime. My conversations have been confined exclusively to former and Nasser never attempted discuss latter.
- (4)
- My reports to Department have been as complete and accurate as I could make them.
Hare
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 774.11/11–656. Top Secret; Niact. Received at 4:56 p.m. Repeated to Paris.↩
- Telegram 1447 to Cairo, November 5, requested Hare’s comments on the report (see footnote 3, Document 511) that Nasser intended to resign but changed his mind after being informed of continuing U.S. support. (Department of State, Central Files, 774.11/11–556)↩