316. Editorial Note
On May 4, the Department of State responded to Hare’s report on the Humphrey–Nasser conversation (see telegram 3412, Document 313) as follows:
“While it may well be that as result his increasing annoyance, frustration and isolation Nasser’s action will be in form ‘stubborn resistance or intemperate reaction rather than compromise,’ fact remains that all previous attempts to reason constructively with Nasser have failed. His allegations that Egyptian hands are clean in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Syria must be considered against background convincing evidence of Egyptian-inspired subversive activities and connivance in these countries.
“While we fully appreciate implication Nasser’s intimate relationship with Soviet bloc and his capacity for trouble making, we do not see that conditions are in any way mature for us to consider at this [Page 597] stage altering our basic approach and attitude toward him. At time when Jordan and Saudi Arabia as well as other Arab and African states are beginning to awaken to perils to which they have been exposed as result of … acceptance of Nasser’s policies and are themselves taking action to regain their independence and thus to isolate Nasser, we must bear in mind any alteration of our present Egyptian policy might not only cut ground from under these states, but might incite even greater arrogance by Nasser.
“Our policy is of course under continuous review to determine how US objectives can, in the light of developments as they unfold, best be pursued.” (Department of State, Central Files, 033.11000–HU/5–257)
The telegram to Cairo was drafted by Stabler and Rockwell and approved by Rountree who signed for Dulles.