297. Editorial Note
On April 23, Secretary Dulles instructed Ambassador Richards to forego for the immediate future visits to Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. One week later, on April 30, Secretary Dulles informed Richards that he and President Eisenhower had decided to drop these countries entirely from Richards’ itinerary. The rationale given by Dulles for not visiting Egypt was that the Egyptian Government had not extended a specific written invitation to Richards. (Telegram 65 to Asmara, April 23; Department of State, Central Files, 120.1580/4-2357; and telegram 3901 to Athens, April 30; ibid., 120.1580/4-3057)
Acting under instructions from the Department of State, on April 13 Ambassador Hare requested such a written invitation from Foreign Minister Fawzi. (Telegram 3398 to Cairo, April 12; ibid., 120.1580/4–1257; [Page 566] and telegram 3246 from Cairo, April 15; ibid., 120.1580/4–1557) When no immediate response was received, Richards cabled the Department of State from Asmara on April 19 to urge that a prompt decision be made concerning his itinerary. It was “not compatible with dignity of this mission,” Richards observed, “to loiter doubtfully and undecidedly awaiting invitations from hesitation [hesitant] Syrian and Egyptian governments.” Richards also advised:
“My present feeling is that visit Cairo unlikely produce any positive results in furtherance new Middle East policy, especially since Nasser obviously pre-occupied with Suez and Israeli issues outside scope my authority. Failure of mission in Egypt could be something [of an] anti-climax to success of mission thus far. Nevertheless, there is received in next few days. We should be in position say either that Nasser himself chose not to hear our story or that we told our story and save him same opportunity as other Middle East states to understand, and accept doctrine. Otherwise we might give anti-West elements in all Arao states excuse to say we deliberately by-passed Egypt in order split Arab world. This might be especially embarrassing to King Saud.” (Telegram 63 from Asmara, April 19; ibid., 120.1580/4–1957)
Two days later Hare informed the Department of State that Fawzi had assured him orally that the mission would be welcome in Egypt, but that it might be necessary to postpone the visit until May 4. (Telegram 3311 from Cairo, April 21; ibid., 120.1580/4–2157) During the afternoon of April 22, the Department of State advised Richards that urgent consideration was being given to the problem of whether to visit Jordan, Egypt, and Syria, which he had discussed in telegram 63 from Asmara. (Telegram 62 to Asmara, April 22; ibid., 120.1580/4–1957) Evidently, the decision to postpone the visits indefinitely was made during the meeting among Dulles, Herter, Rountree, Wilkins, and Allen Dulles which took place in the Secretary’s office at 5:50 p.m. (Dulles’ Appointment Book; Princeton University Library, Dulles Papers) No account of the meeting has been found.
Documentation on the change in itinerary is scheduled for publication in volume XII.