392. Telegram From the Embassy in the United Arab Republic to the Department of State1
4793. 1. In farewell call Feb 23 on Anwar Sadat he remarked that US policy in Middle East and particularly toward UAR even worse than that of John Foster Dulles. Dulles had said flatly UAR broke and US had no intention of providing aid. We dangled hope of aid and never gave answer while at the same time he suspected we engaged in unfortunate behind scenes actions with enemies of UAR as well as arming them. Our delay in response brought forth speech by President last night2 with its many uncomplimentary references to US.
2. I very earnestly urged Sadat accept fact US had no basic goal in area other than peace and security and no chosen instrument. Reviewed many factors involved in world food problem. Pointed out that at various times we were accused being more partial one Arab than another but accusations often reflected inter-Arab differences. Arms sales to Jordan concerning which he had expressed alarm had initially stemmed from UAC levying of requirements on Jordan. What had happened is that events had changed relationships between Arabs and that what appeared satisfactory to UAR in past now suggested plotting by US which totally untrue.
3. Comment: Sadat highly emotional in charges against US altho very warm and cordial to me personally. Like many others he appears convinced indecision US on wheat reflects positive opposition UAR. We are getting this line from many quarters at present.
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 1 UAR-US. Confidential.↩
- Battle reported in telegram 4780, February 23, that in a February 22 speech, Nasser made extensive attacks on the United States for creating, supporting, arming, and protecting Israel, supporting Arab “reactionaries,” applying economic and psychological pressure against the UAR, and refusing to provide arms aid to Egypt in the 1950s. (Ibid., POL 15–1 UAR)↩