Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conferences at Cairo and Tehran, 1943

740.0011 EW 1939/32670: Telegram

The Minister in Egypt (Kirk) to the Secretary of State¹

secret

[Cairo,] 12 November 1943.

You may recall that in discussing with you certain phases affecting the impending visit here I offered observations, from the American standpoint, in the matter of amenities as regards the local Monarch and government usual on such occasion[s] and I take this opportunity for safe communication to enumerate briefly those observations:

1. In the present instance a special factor is involved insofar as we are concerned owing to the exalted rank of our visitor.

2. The position of the United States vis-à-vis Egypt differs in many ways from that of Great Britain and whereas the British may regard their actions as predicated on the rights of an “Occupying Power”, the same considerations [consideration?] does not apply to U. S.

3. The United States is held in special regard on the basis of its considerate treatment of small independent nations.

I need not emphasize the fact that I recognize the controlling consideration is the one of security but as I explained to you orally, I assume that the foregoing observations are being borne in mind and I hope that, although arrangements for the visit are in the hands of the British authorities who I understand are to be considered as hosts on the occasion, the American Government will not be placed in a position vis-à-vis the Egyptians of deviating from the amenities prescribed for such a visit any further than the exigencies of security in present conditions may require.

I wish to add that if the present crisis in Lebanon² causes a postponement of plans I may be informed direct.

1. Sent, via Greer (who was at Oran), to the White House Map Room, which forwarded the message to the Department of State. At Stettinius’ request, a copy of Kirk’s message was sent back to Oran by pouch for Roosevelt on November 14, 1943. A notation on the forwarded copy reads: “To speak to Kirk about. F. D. R.”
2. The Lebanese Chamber of Deputies on November 8, 1943, voted for an immediate end of the French mandate and the immediate establishment of the independence of Lebanon. Three days later the French Committee of National Liberation issued decrees suspending the operation of the Lebanese Constitution and Government; this action touched off local riots. The United States Government expressed its objection to the decrees, and they were abrogated. On November 26, 1943, in a press release, the Department of State noted with approval the abrogation of the decrees and indicated that the United States sympathized with “the aspirations of the Syrian and Lebanese peoples for the full enjoyment of sovereign independence.” Department of State Bulletin, vol. ix, November 27, 1943, p. 381.