641.74/8–454: Telegram
No. 849
The Ambassador in Egypt (Caffery) to the Department of State1
secret
priority
priority
Cairo, August 4, 1954—2
p.m.
162. Minister Foreign Affairs asked to see me today to make several observations: [Page 1599]
- (1)
- Egypt very definitely wants to get along with Israel and knows that one day she will have to face up to peace treaty but time is not ripe yet.
- (2)
- Egyptian authorities will make no declarations attacking Israel. He spoke of recent declarations of himself and Prime Minister making clear that Egypt has no intention of attack Israel (Embassy telegrams 154 and 158).2
- (3)
- Egyptians are urging British to go ahead fast as possible with negotiations for final agreement. They suggested that committees report on August 24 and agreement be signed September 1. British agree in principle on moving fast but do not believe final agreement can be reached by September 1.
- (4)
- Egyptian Intelligence Service reports evidence that Israelis preparing incidents designed to upset agreement with British. I asked what evidence and he gave me nothing specific.
- (5)
- He remarked that Egypt has respect for tripartite declaration but would not like to see Turkey in a reaffirmation of it.
- (6)
- The interested Egyptian authorities are now studying the draft cover agreements for economic and military aid. He said he prefers to go very carefully over them with his colleagues in order to make them understand thoroughly all the implications thereof.
Caffery