176. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Arab Republic0
881. Pursuant instructions Deptel 880,1 convey following message in writing from President Kennedy to President Nasser.
Jan. 24, 1962
Dear Mr. President:
“In the past year I have found that a major problem in understanding more clearly the conviction and preoccupations of our friends abroad has been the lack of close enough contact with other chiefs of state.
“It is a truism that the world is changing at an extraordinary rate of speed. This year and this decade are crucial to all of us as few have been throughout history. I know you share my belief that we must do everything within our power to improve the prospects for peace in every corner of the world.
“My good friend and advisor, Ambassador Chester Bowles, is scheduled to take a trip to the Middle East and Africa. I should, therefore, like to ask him to discuss frankly with you on my behalf the whole range of the complex global issues which today trouble our world. Ambassador Bowles could stop for several days in Cairo in February for [Page 444] such a discussion with you. He would arrive on February 13 if this date would be convenient.
“As you may know, I recently appointed Ambassador Bowles as my Special Representative and Advisor on all aspects of US relations with Asia, Africa and Latin America. He has had a wide range of experience in the economic and political affairs of these parts of the world. He also has a thorough understanding of and sympathy with the manifold problems of the countries earnestly seeking to accelerate their own processes of national self-development.
“His stop in Cairo would be announced as an opportunity for him to visit the UAR to obtain a first-hand impression of conditions in modern Egypt. However, the real purpose of his visit to Cairo would be for him to meet with you. I hope that you would speak as frankly to him as you would to me about the questions which affect relations between our two nations, the Middle East in general, and the whole range of international affairs. He would be able to convey to you my views on all these questions.
“I have asked Ambassador Badeau to bring you this letter and to inform you of further details concerning Mr. Bowles’ planned trip should you desire them. I should be most grateful for your reaction to my suggestion and I should be happy to know whether, with the many burdens pressing upon you, time would be available for the discussions which might prove most valuable to us both.
“With all good wishes, Sincerely, John F. Kennedy.”2
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 123-Bowles, Chester. Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Thacher and Lewis on January 24; cleared by Veliotes, Barrow, Strong, and Smith at the White House; and approved by Talbot who initialed for Ball.↩
- Document 175.↩
- Ambassador Badeau delivered the letter to Nasser on January 29 and made the points mentioned in telegram 880 during the ensuing discussion. Nasser cordially welcomed Bowles’ visit, invited him to be a guest of the Government of the United Arab Republic while in Cairo, and indicated that he would see Bowles on February 14 and 17. (Telegram 1147 from Cairo, January 29; Department of State, Central Files, 123-Bowles, Chester)↩