322. Memorandum From the Director of the Office of Near Eastern
Affairs (Wilkins)
to the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian,
and African Affairs (Rountree)1
SUBJECT
- Overt Measures Taken with Respect to Egypt
In connection with the Secretary’s inquiry, there is attached a paper
setting forth, in outline form, the overt measures taken with
respect to Egypt and related measures in connection with other Arab
and African states under Omega.
We believe that all possible measures have been taken or are being
taken with regard to Egypt itself. The only other overt measure that
we can think of would be the recall of Ambassador Hare, and this would, of course, be
the first step in the rupture of diplomatic relations.
[Page 609]
[Enclosure]
OVERT MEASURES TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO EGYPT
- 1.
- Denial of export licenses for arms shipments, for
commercial vehicles intended for the Egyptian armed forces,
for spare parts for Egyptian airlines Misair, and for
training films and other material requested by Egyptian
military authorities. Denial of Egyptian requests for
training in US service schools.
- 2.
- Termination of Aswan Dam negotiations.
- 3.
- Withholding approval of pending requests under Title I,
PL 480.
- 4.
- No reactivation of CARE
or similar programs.
- 5.
- Continued blocking of Egyptian funds in the US except for
a few hardship cases involving US commercial
interests.
- 6.
- No accommodation to private American contracts with Egypt,
the execution of which is dependent on the release of
blocked funds (for example, Hilton Hotel).
- 7.
- Counseling of prudence to US shippers regarding the use of
the Suez Canal and the payment of dues under protest.
- 8.
- Cancellation of uncommitted FY/55 economic development funds for Egypt and
no scheduling of future aid programs.
- 9.
- No Export-Import Bank loans to Egyptian companies.
- 10.
- Closing of Fulbright office in Egypt as of June
30.
- 11.
- Heavy reduction in the Exchange of Persons Program with
Egypt.
- 12.
- Continued adverse effect of the US cotton policy.
RELATED OVERT MEASURES IN CONNECTION WITH OTHER
ARAB AND AFRICAN STATES
- 1.
- Active support to King Hussein of Jordan, including economic and
possibly limited military assistance.
- 2.
- King Saud’s visit
to the US and the conclusion of the renegotiation of the
Dhahran Air Facilities Agreement and the five-phase military
program.
- 3.
- Support for and encouragement of close Saud-Hashemite
relations.
- 4.
- Active support to President Chamoun of Lebanon and the present
government, including the furnishing of economic and
military assistance.
- 5.
- Fostering of closer relations with the Sudan and
encouragement of Sudan–Ethiopia–Uganda cooperation in
connection with possible renegotiation of the Nile Waters
Agreement.
- 6.
- Continuation of economic and military assistance to
Iraq.
- 7.
- Active economic and military support to Libya.
- 8.
- Fostering of closer ties with Morocco and Tunisia.
- 9.
- Forthcoming visit to the Yemen by Ambassador Wadsworth to seek closer
US-Yemeni relations.
- 10.
- Continuing restraint on Israel in connection with its
attitude towards the Arab states.
- 11.
- Approval of the American Doctrine and the Richards Mission.
- 12.
- US offer to adhere to the Baghdad Pact military
committee.
- 13.
- The Vice President’s trip to Africa.
- 14.
- Urging of British to reach an acceptable settlement of the
Buraimi dispute with Saudi Arabia.
