Memorandum on Nasser Saying War With Israel
is Unavoidable
(July 2, 1964)
Note here that Nasser
calls war unavoidable nearly three years before
the Six-Day
War.
76. Memorandum of Telephone
Conversation Between the Under Secretary of
State (Ball) and the Assistant Secretary of
State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs
(Talbot)1
Washington, July 2, 1964,
2:35 p.m.
Ball wanted to mention that Lord Harlech said he was sending down an
economic study of the UAR which demonstrates the very great dependence
of the UAR on the economic assistance we are giving them and the great
value of our leverage. He wanted Talbot to know of this.
Ball voiced concern at the wild statement of Nasser about war being
unavoidable with Israel. Talbot mentioned the President called saying
he would like to recheck the decision on the loan before it became final.
Our present plan is to defer action on this for some time and take a
good look at it when the American claims have moved farther along.
Note
1 Source: Johnson Library, Ball Papers,
United Arab Republic. No classification marking. Prepared in Ball's
office.
Sources: Foreign
Relations of the United States, 1964-1968, V. 18, Arab-Israeli
Dispute 1964-1967. DC: GPO,
2000. |