501.BB Palestine/6–348
Memorandum by the Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs (Henderson) to the Director of the Office of Transport and Communications (Radius)
Dear Mr. Radius: We have given careful study to your memorandum of June 31 regarding possible effects of the present policy regarding exports of aircraft and components upon U.S. aviation interests in the Middle East.
Unfortunately, we feel that it would be impossible in the present international and domestic situation for us to make exceptions in the application of the arms embargo which would permit the shipment of aircraft or aircraft parts to Egypt or any other Arab country. If we should make exceptions of this kind, the United States might well be charged with violating the resolution of the Security Council on which the present truce is based.
We deeply regret any injury which our policies with regard to Palestine might be having on U.S. aviation interests in the Middle East. As you are aware, our policies are injuring a number of American interests in the Middle East. This fact, however, does not seem to warrant a changing of our policies.
P.S. We have evidence that leads us to hope that the British are going to adopt our definition of arms, ammunition, and implements of war and accordingly include civil aircraft under their embargo.
- Not printed; it
noted Mr. Radius’ understanding that “the present policy toward the
export of aircraft and aircraft parts … involves a refusal to
license any export of aviation materiel for use on civil aircraft
which might conceivably be employed in operations supporting the
present conflict in Palestine.” The memorandum then set forth as
major objectives of United States aviation policy toward the Middle
East the promotion of the sale of American aircraft and equipment
and the breaking down “the policy of certain Arab League states,
notably Egypt, involving the application of severe restrictions on
the way in which international civil aviation operations may be
conducted.” After citing the applications made by two Middle East
airlines for spare parts to keep their aircraft in operation, Mr.
Radius recommended that “serious consideration be given to the
effects of our present policy upon our aviation interests in the
Middle East and that if it is considered desirable … the policy be
relaxed” (501.BB Palestine/6–348).
For documentation on the efforts by the United States in 1945 to conclude civil air transport agreements with various governments of the Middle East, see Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. viii, pp. 64 ff.
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