396.1 LO/10–1753: Telegram
No. 306
The United
States Delegation at the Tripartite Foreign Ministers
Conference to the Department of
State1
Secto 20. Bilateral Foreign Ministers’ meeting morning October 17 discussed following:
[Page 709]1. Egypt:
Eden showed Secretary in greatest confidence latest draft on availability as approved by Cabinet, providing base would be made available in event (a) attack on Egypt (b) attack on any member ALCSP or (c) recommendation by UN that base should be made available in view aggression or threat aggression. Eden said this wording would be given Egyptians at Monday’s meeting.
Secretary said our information was Egyptians would agree to refer their responsibilities under both charter and 1950 uniting for peace resolution and suggested wording of latter (“in event of threat to peace, breach of peace or aggression”) be substituted under (c) above. British agreed consider this.
Eden continued UK were prepared to agree to (a) 15-month period for withdrawal of troops, which was “major concession”, (b) 7-year duration and (c) time schedule providing for 4,000 technicians for a year and a half, then 2,500 for 3 years and finally 1,000 in last year. Did not anticipate any great difficulty on either air facilities or base organization. On uniforms, however, there had been a long Cabinet discussion as result which finally agreed uniforms would never be worn outside base while inside they would not normally be worn but this would not be incorporated in formal agreement as UK unwilling give up right wear uniforms and carry weapons inside base. In actual practice uniforms would only be worn inside base on ceremonial occasions such as church parade, etc. Selwyn Lloyd added British hoped get Egyptians agree that inside base shirts, shorts, badges of rank and caps could be worn.
During considerable discussion which followed, Secretary expressed hope talks would not break down on uniform question. This he said, would be serious and have a bad effect on American public opinion. He wondered whether argument was not over words rather than substance. Eden replied question was important since if Naguib Government should be replaced by less friendly one, British might wish put its soldiers in uniform. Secretary concurred but added that if it was intended technicians would ordinarily not wear uniforms, he thought this should be made very clear, not simply stated orally.
Ambassador suggested there misunderstanding as to whether men in question were soldiers or technicians. Eden replied that they would be mainly engineers and actually soldiers. He hoped Egyptians might agree to British position, in view especially British concessions on initial evacuation and staging of technicians. Cabinet, however, was absolutely firm on uniforms and public opinion would not allow further concessions.
[Page 710]Eden said he thought latest UK proposals were “pretty good” and expressed hope that even if Egyptians did not accept them wholly Monday they would not break off talks. He hoped we would do our best prevent any break. Secretary assured Eden we would do all we could to help.
2. Iran:
Eden told Secretary that when Parliament meets next week he intended to “say something nice” about new government, stressing that as Iran aware UK ready resume relations. In reply Eden’s query re present government, Secretary said Zahedi’s2 position seemed satisfactory for time being but something must be done to assist economically. Congress would not extend aid indefinitely. Eden and Secretary agreed Iran oil must start moving into world market as this was of major importance politically. British then said they were planning supply locomotives worth about 1 million pounds to Iran on extremely liberal credit terms. Outright gift would require approval Parliament.
3. Saudi Arabia:
Eden mentioned latest approach made by Hafiz Wahba re Buraimi (Embtel 1580, October 133) and said there had been no developments since Hafiz return Jidda this week but that things looked better.
4. Israel:
British stated Syria bringing Banat Yacov situation before SC.
5. Kuwait:
Eden said situation was causing some anxieties [since?] ruler not anxious continue ruling. UK trying encourage him continue as succession not clear and as he appeared to be best choice.