Office of the Historian

447. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, February 5, 19571

Washington, February 5, 1957

SUBJECT

  • Visit of Crown Prince Abdul Ilah of Iraq

III. SITUATION IN EGYPT

[Here follows the same list of participants as Document 445.]

[Page 1032]

Dr. Jamali noted that Egypt had become a principal source of propaganda both against Iraq and against the Baghdad Pact. Iraq has nothing against Egypt, but Egyptian policy against Iraq is a matter of grave concern. He did not feel, however, that Egypt should be penalized for the policy of its leaders. There should be no Israeli occupation of Egypt. He regretted that the problem of Israeli occupation of parts of Egyptian territory has not yet been solved. Senator Jabr interjected that French collusion with Israel had aggravated the problem.

The Secretary opined that some of the problems of the area had been further complicated by British policy. He did not wish to criticize. While mistakes may have been made in the past, we must now look to the future. In any event, there was no great difference between Iraq and the United States with respect to our attitude toward Egypt.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 787.11/2–557. Secret. Drafted by Eilts.↩