Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

NL T ( Maua / Aide) 267 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 October 22, 1951 State Dept. Guidelines, March 6; 1982 By DEB NLT, Date 9-5-85 TOP SEGRET SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS MIDDLE EAST COMMAND We have suggested and have obtained the concurrence of the UK and France in a simpli- fied approach to the Near Eastern states other than Egypt, regarding the Middle East Command. We hope that agreement of Turkey to the proposed approach may be obtained immediately in order that representatives of the four powers may proceed with presentation to the Arab states and Israel. The new approach takes into account both the desirability of immediate action in order to encourage whatever sentiment favorable to the proposed Command exists, as well as the possibility that an immediate reply, if requested, might well be negative in light of the present situation. Therefore, the states involved will not at this time be exhorted to join the Middle East Command but will be informed that the sponsoring powers intend to proceed with the establishment of the Command and that the sponsor- - ing powers hope the Arab states and Israel, independently of Egypt's attitude, will give most serious consideration to the whole question, which involves vitally their security and welfare. EGYPT Our Embassy in London reports that the reaction of the UK Foreign Office to last week's events in Egypt is one of cautious optimism. It feels that the measures which the UK military found necessary to take in the Canal area, although purely precautionary in intent, have on the whole had a salutary effect, but it considers that it is too early to judge whether the Egyptians will be deterred from taking further pro- vocative steps. The Foreign Office, according to our Embassy, seems acutely aware of the necessity for proceeding with caution, although equally convinced of the need for strength. The Embassy understands that the Foreign Office is keeping military plans under close observation and that no major military decision on Egypt will be made without Foreign Office concur- rence. TQP SECRET