883.20/156
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Egypt (Kirk)
Sir: There is enclosed herewith a copy of despatch no. 4206 of June 16, 1942, from the Embassy at London,41 in which it is stated that the British Ambassador at Cairo has given assurances to the Egyptian Government relative to the eventual repatriation of members of the “Allied” forces, but that the Egyptian Government desires this assurance to be supplemented by similar assurances from the other Governments concerned.
It is noted that in the communication dated June 9, 1942, from the British Foreign Office to the Embassy at London,42 a copy of which was enclosed with the despatch under reference, it was stated that the British Government would be happy to communicate an appropriate assurance from the United States Government to the Government of Egypt through the British Ambassador at Cairo, but that the Foreign Office appreciates this Government may prefer to handle the matter through the American Minister at Cairo.
The matter has been taken up with the appropriate Departments and there are enclosed herewith a copy of a communication dated September 3, 1942, from the Navy Department, and a copy of a communication dated September 14, 1942, from the Secretary of War.43 [Page 92] You are authorized to communicate the assurances contained therein to the Egyptian Government and to inform the British Ambassador at Cairo of your action.
A copy of the present instruction is being sent to the Embassy at London with the request that the Foreign Office be informed.
Very truly yours,