674.84A/9–2953: Telegram
No. 679
The Ambassador in Egypt (Caffery) to the Department of State1
NIACT
379. As we have been reporting recently, Egyptians have been endeavoring to avoid any sort of controversy with Israelis and have been playing down reports of border violations, shooting of Bedouin, et cetera.
This morning Vice President Abd Al Nasir asked to see me to tell me that last night 300 Israeli troops occupied Al Auja in demilitarized zone and immediately began digging trenches, putting up barbed wire, et cetera at a point one kilometer northeast of the “building” at Al Auja. Egyptian liaison officer protested in vain. Israelis retorted that Al Auja is a part of Israel.
I counseled calmness and Nasir said they would be calm but in view of “gravity” of what Israelis have done, and also in view of fact that Egyptians have withdrawn most of their troops from Gaza district, he must immediately send troops to area. I said “do not let them enter demilitarized zone”. He said “no at least for the present they will stay on border”. “However”, he said, “I am feaful of reaction of our public when they hear this and it will be impossible to keep them from hearing it”.
I told him that I would communicate on subject immediately with Department.
I should appreciate it if Department would let me have as soon as possible some word to pass back to Nasir.
- Repeated to London and Tel Aviv.↩