Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 1

674.87/8–2754: Telegram

No. 227
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Iraq¹

secret

Washington, August 31, 1954—4:40 p.m.

119. Cairos 6 to Baghdad² confirms our understanding current Egyptian attitude against association at present with West in area defense arrangements.

In view Egyptian Government’s apparent rejection Nuri Said–Saleh Salem proposals (which could not have been acceptable to USG in context present orientation ALCSP) Embassy should at appropriate opportunity sound out Nuri on his present thinking. Embassy may in its discretion mention Department’s satisfaction over assurance given Ambassador Berry by Nuri re his support for Turk–Pakistan pact (Embtel 590)³ and Nuri’s statement (Embtel 105).⁴ He not abandoning regional defense principle which he recognized lay behind pact. Having in mind these statements and last paragraph Embtel 107⁵ we hope Nuri will focus his attention on Turki-Pakistan pact which we believe offers only basis for realistic and effective defense planning in Near East.

Dulles

1. Drafted by Fritzlan and cleared by NE and in substance by OFMA/OSB. Repeated as telegram 356 to Cairo, 1212 to London, 275 to Ankara, and 278 to Karachi.
2. Not printed; this is the same as telegram 260, which is summarized in footnote 5, supra.
3. Document 202.
4. Document 223.
5. Not printed, but see footnote 3, supra.