641.74/9–2451: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt 1
top secret
Washington, September 24, 1951—5 p. m.
424. Deptel 338 Sept 8 [18].2 Re Sudan paper Sept 83 agreed during Dept–FonOff talks and discussed Sept 10 by Secy and Morrison.4
Brit Emb rep gave Dept Sept 20 fol FonOff comments on points in ref paper:
- 1.
- FonOff believed it undesirable establish UN comm. Internatl comm, not operating under UN aegis, preferable as wld provide greater latitude choice membership which might include UK, Egypt, Sudan, US, and possibly “neutral” member. FonOff viewed comm as extension Tripartite Comm proposed by UK to Egypt in June. Some question whether comm shld begin work in near future or be established only at time self-govt elections.
- 2.
- FonOff agreeable renewal offer to Egypt of statement of principles.
- 3.
- Internatl guarantee Nile Waters Agreement and estab Nile Valley Development Authority desirable, but no thought yet given their formulation or relationship.
- 4.
- While UK wld not stand in way self-govt Sudan, fixing definite date most difficult. UK wld contemplate statement soon indicating attainment self-govt Sudan early date Brit aim. Self-govt wld be subject certain safeguards, i.e., advisors and guarantees to South Sudan against possible exploitation by north.
- 5.
- Neutral Governor Gen impossible as wld be breach UK pledge not change status Sudan without consulting Sudanese. Sudan civil servants, Brit and Sudanese, wld object serving under neutral Governor.
On Sept 22 Dept informed Brit Emb as fols:
- 1.
- US has no objection UK putting Sudan proposals to Egypt as matter concern only UK, Egypt, and Sudan.
- 2.
- US does not believe UK proposals re Sudan go far enough to be of any help in securing Egypt cooperation in MEC.
- 3.
- In view (2) US must revert to previous position that it does not have substantive position on Sudan. US will, therefore, be unable associate itself with UK on Sudan question as we had originally hoped, although we wld be willing support with Egypt Govt separability base question and Sudan.
- 4.
- If present UK proposals shld prove unacceptable to Egypt and appear as stumbling block for estab MEC, we hope UK will have ready second and more liberal set of proposals which might be put forward.
- 5.
- Notwithstanding above and subject consideration detailed proposals US favorably disposed in principle render assistance re internatl guarantee Nile Waters Agreement and estab Nile Valley Development Authority on condition parties concerned desire US participation.
In response to query whether Dept wished to make further suggestions, Dept said UK in better position determine extent proposals and pointed to last para Sudan paper which stressed necessity eliminating Sudan as obstacle to agreement on defense issue.
Acheson