DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation
DATE: April 13, 1950
SUBJECT: Conversation with the Egyptian Ambassador
PARTICIPANTS: The Secretary Mohamed Kamel Bey Abdul Rahim, Egyptian Ambassador NEA- Mr. George C. McGhee ANE - Mr. Dudley C. Bostwick
COPIES TO: S/S, NEA, ANE, MD, CIA. DRN, BAN, S/MDA, E, AmEmbassy Cairo, AmEmbassy Tel Aviv, AmEmbassy London, AmEmbassy Baghdad, AmEmbassy Jidda, AmLegation Beirut, AmLegation Damascus, and AmLegation Amman.
Problem; \) Action Required: \) Informational memorandum Action Assigned to: \)
Discussion:
The Ambassador called at his request on Thursday, April 13, at 2:45 P.M. He indicated that he wished to discuss with me the Near Eastern armament situation as well as other matters of mutual concern.
The Ambassador opened the conversation by stating that he had recently returned from Cairo where he had found an atmosphere of tension due to allegations that Egypt was attempting to obtain arms and munitions for aggressive purposes. These allegations were creating a situation quite inimical to peace and were the cause of concern to his Government. Egypt's greatest desire was for peace and tranquility in the Near Eastern area in order that his county may continue to go forward with reforms, particularly the education of her peoples, and "put her house in order for the future." Furthermore, Egypt realizes the future is in the hands of the Western democracies and wishes to work side by side with these democracies for the common cause. His Government, he continued, wished to take all possible steps to promote a greater feeling of cooperation in the Near East area and he asked if I had any suggestions as to how this might be accomplished.
I replied that this Government was fully aware of Egypt's expressed peaceful intentions and that full faith was placed in Egypt's pledges regarding this matter. Moreover, this Government was interested in the ability of Egypt to defend herself in the event of world trouble and we, along with Great Britain, were furnishing Egypt with certain military equipment for this purpose. However, the fact that arms are being furnished to Egypt for self-defense purposes has caused some anxiety and misunderstanding among various groups in this country. Only recently a group of 30 Congressmen had spent over an hour with me discussing this subject. While the logic of furnishing military equipment to Egypt as a strategic step involving the defense of the Middle East area in the event of another world war could be explained satisfactorily, it was much harder to answer the criticism that these arms might be used for other purposes. We find it difficult to reassure interested parties regarding this point since apparently little progress is being made towards establishing a permanent peace arrangement for the Near East. The efforts of King Abdullah to reach a permanent peace settlement with Israel apparently are being actively discouraged by the other Arab States. I asked the Ambassador if he could furnish any information on why the Arab States had taken this attitude since negotiations of the type Abdullah apparently desire would result, if adopted by the other States concerned, in a permanent peace settlement with Israel.
The Ambassador replied that it was the desire of the Arab countries to deal as a united group with Israel in any discussions regarding peace treaties. Otherwise, Israel would be able to impose its peace terms on each individual Arab state and such terms would be unfavorable to the States concerned. Moreover, preparation for permanent peace arrangements requires long-range planning and great patience, particularly since it is necessary to obtain the support of the Arab peoples regarding the conditions of peace. Israel is too impatient and does not realize that peace treaties cannot be negotiated hurriedly. Furthermore, Egypt regards the terms of the armistice agreement with Israel as tantamount to a peace treaty and Egypt has no intention of violating the truce arrangements. Therefore, it is preferable to proceed carefully as regards negotiating a permanent peace treaty for without popular support no treaty can long endure.
I replied that I fully realized that peace arrangements were an extremely complex matter and that they most certainly could not be formulated over a week-end. However, the Department felt that the general situation would be improved if there could be some acceleration in the plans to negotiate permanent peace treaties between the Arab States and Israel. In reply, the Ambassador observed that his Government would be glad to explore with the United States Government methods and procedures by which this end could be achieved. I stated that such an approach might be possible and that the matter would be studied in the Department. Mr. McGhee expressed the opinion that the latest Palestine Conciliation Commission recommendation that a series of committees be established to discuss major problems appeared to be a sound proposal and we hoped that the Egyptian Government could support this plan. The Ambassador replied that this matter was now under study by his Government.
The matter of Egypt's strategic position in the event of another war was raised by the Ambassador and he expressed the hope that this Government would see fit to approve the shipment of a quantity of military equipment to Egypt, remarking that a detailed list of equipment desired would be submitted to the Department in the near future. Egypt hopes, he continued, to establish a military force consisting of two fully equipped armored divisions and three infantry divisions. I replied that we would be glad to explore the possibility of making additional equipment available and that I was sure that the military situation had been reviewed by General Collins with officials of the Egyptian Government during the General's recent visit to Cairo.
The Egyptian Envoy then reiterated that Egypt is most anxious that an atmosphere of peace and cooperation prevail in the Near East area, stating that the evacuation of the Suez Canal zone by the British troops now stationed there would be conducive towards obtaining this atmosphere. Egypt will be happy to furnish Great Britain with the essential bases she needs in Egypt, these bases to be occupied by Great Britain in time of need. However, the presence of British troops in the Suez area in times of peace is disquieting to the Egyptian people since these military forces are a constant and irritating reminder that Great Britain once occupied Egypt through the use of military power. Mr. McGhee assured the Ambassador that we fully appreciated the psychological problem which existed as a result of this situation. However, Mr. McGhee continued, it would appear that if Egypt insists that Britain withdraw her troops from the Suez zone, it would result in a weakening of Egypt's military strength at precisely a time when Egypt desires to increase her powers of resistance. The Ambassador replied that he did not think such was the case since 10,000 British troops were too small in number to be militarily significant and, furthermore, the British could re-occupy the base in the event of war. The ambassador then asked if it would be possible for me to raise this matter with Mr. Bevin when I see him in London next month. I replied that I would be glad to explore the matter.
The Ambassador did not raise the matter in the recent article in Life magazine concerning King Farouk.
Dean Acheson
- - -
Note: Following the conversation with the Secretary, the Ambassador was interviewed by the press. Mr. Bostwick was present at this interview. The newspaperman asked the Ambassador if he had discussed the Life magazine article on King Farouk with the Secretary, to which question the Ambassador replied that he never read Life magazine and expressed ignorance as to the article in question. When a newspaperman then stated that he understood that the Ambassador had discussed this article with Assistant Secretary McGhee last Friday, the Ambassador obviously flustered and off-balance, replied after a moment's hesitation that the reporter should take this matter up with Mr. McGhee. The Ambassador said that he had enjoyed an interesting conversation with the Secretary regarding problems of mutual concern. He stated that Egypt's intentions were completely peaceful and that "other countries" which undertake campaigns to raise funds for the purchase of arms should be considered as aggressors. In response to a reporter's question as to whether he had the current fund raising campaign for Israel in mind, he answered that he had all such campaigns in mind. He volunteered the information that Egypt had made public the size of its military establishment and its budget for defense purposes and that "they" should do likewise. Continuing in the same vein, he asserted that Egypt " had laid its cards on the table" and that "the other side" should do likewise if it intentions were pacific.
NEA:ANE:DCBostwick:mjb 4/14/50