199. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Iraq 1
2233. Re recognition UAR. You should inform Government to which you accredited along following lines:
In deference views of Governments of Iraq and Jordan and positions taken by ME members of Baghdad Pact, US has so far deferred recognition of UAR. We remain convinced, however, for reasons set forth circular 7552 and Deptel 2111 to Karachi repeated Ankara 2669 Tehran 1647 London 5903 Cairo 2269 Damascus 1855 Amman 1984 [Page 431] Paris Topol 29823 that withholding recognition would be politically disadvantageous and that we should establish correct relations with UAR from outset. We have following additional comments.
We have noted request of GOI that BP Governments and US confine themselves to de facto recognition, postponing de jure recognition. We believe that this position, half-way between recognition and non-recognition, would not achieve whatever benefits might reside in either of these attitudes, but, by indicating doubt that UAR possessed legal qualifications for recognition, which is not the case in our view, would merely cause irritation and resentment and make it more difficult for states extending de facto recognition to transact business with UAR and exert influence upon it. US, for its part, foresees that there may be occasions when it will wish seek persuade UAR adopt a particular course of action, such as in matter settlement problems resulting from nationalization Suez Canal Company, possible continuing dispute between Egypt and Sudan, etc. US would not wish be hampered in such approaches by self-imposed political disadvantage which in US view would achieve no significant gain for US.
Another point to which we wish invite our friends’ attention is fact that substantial number of nations (including Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Morocco in the Arab world as well as many of our other friends elsewhere) have extended full recognition to UAR. Will be recalled that at Ankara BP meeting we said that US support of Arab states in opposing UAR would be predicated on common Arab action including of course Saudi Arabia. Common Arab action has not been established on matter of recognition and in fact Saudi Arabia has recognized and both Lebanon and Saudi Arabia have sent messages of congratulation to UAR.
With regard to concern of GOI and GOT over reports of menacing attitude of Egypt toward Sudan in border dispute, concern which was shared by US, outcome of Security Council proceedings February 21 confirmed our impression of improved prospects for peaceful and orderly approach to this problem.
US has appreciated courtesy of BP Governments in ME in frankly setting forth their views on this matter, and has been glad in return to submit its own opinions and evaluations. This valuable consultation has given US clear picture and understanding of attitude of its friends. US regrets that positions of US and its friends do not coincide on this matter, as US highly values establishment common attitude with its BP associates whenever this possible. US intends proceed with full recognition UAR February 25.
[Page 432]Request that addressee governments treat our intention recognize confidential until announced.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 786.02/2–2458. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Rockwell and Berry, cleared with Becker, and signed in draft by Dulles. Also sent to Karachi, Ankara, Tehran, and Amman; and repeated to Cairo, Damascus, London, and Paris.↩
- Document 196.↩
- Dated February 21, this telegram reiterated the reasons for recognition laid out in circular telegram 755. (Department of State, Central Files, 786.02/2–2458)↩