Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, The Near East and Africa, Volume V

641.74/12–1751: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Department of State ¹

secret

London, December 17, 1951—7 p. m.

2769. Deptel 2923 December 14.² I saw Eden just before he left for Paris. Strang was also present. Eden agrees that something shld be done and done without delay about Egyptian question. As to our “packaged deal” proposal he particularly likes (B) and as to our comments, he particularly agrees with (D). However, he seemed adamantly opposed to making any concession on Sudan for two reasons: One, that as I stated in Embtel 2609 December 5,³ he was unwilling to disturb Sudan situation, and second, that he personally did not think it would buy anything from Egypt.

Eden is to see Salah El-Din in Paris⁴ although he thinks there is practically no chance of anything constructive coming out of mtg. He felt obligated to agree to see him because Amb asked if he wld and he felt he wld be criticized in UK and especially in US if he refused to do so. He said when he sees Salah El-Din he will certainly do nothing “to build the little man up”.⁵

Gifford

1. Repeated to Paris, Cairo, Ankara, Baghdad, Jidda, Tel Aviv, Amman, Beirut, Damascus.
2. Supra.
3. Not printed.
4. In telegram 865 from Cairo, December 12, Caffery had reported that Egyptian Ambassador Amr at London had said that Salaheddin had complained that Eden had seen all the Arab foreign ministers at Paris during the Sixth Session of the General Assembly except Salaheddin. Eden subsequently said he would see Salaheddin if he requested it to talk about defense proposals “but not if he wanted to talk the same old lines.” (641.74/12–1251) In telegram 922 to Cairo, repeated to London, Acheson reported that the Department of State had been informed by the British Embassy at Washington that if Eden saw Salaheddin in Paris he would talk in the most general terms and would not suggest any “‘deal’.” (641.74/12–1651)
5. In telegram 2770 from London, December 17, Gifford reported having just been shown instructions to Stevenson drafted by the Foreign Office at Eden’s behest which stated that, subject to Stevenson’s comments and anything that might come of the Eden-Salaheddin talks, Stevenson was to approach Farouk and “suggest he throw out govt and install one which will at least talk about MEC proposals.” Stevenson was to emphasize to the King that the MEC proposals offered a possibility of Egypt obtaining everything it wished in the canal zone. (641.74/12–1751) At the close of telegram 908, summarized in part in footnote 5, supra, Caffery stated: “I again repeat and emphasize that if FonOff continues to adhere to policies set out in London tel 2769 and 2770, Dec 17 to Dept, we are headed for real trouble.”