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RECORDING OF THE CONVERSATION OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE USSR A.Ya. Vyshinsko with the EGYPT'S MESSENGER IN THE USSR BINDARI-PASHOY2

July 1, 1948

Secret

Today at 13.00 I received the Egyptian envoy to the USSR, Bindari Pasha, at his request.

At the beginning of the conversation, the envoy spoke at length about the friendly feelings he has towards the Soviet Union and its leaders, and about the fact that he, Bindari Pasha, made a lot of efforts to thoroughly explain the foreign policy of the Soviet Union to Egyptian statesmen. ... The envoy emphasized that he used his recent stay in Cairo to tell the Egyptian leaders in detail about the true aspirations of the Soviet Union, which are deliberately distorted by Anglo-Saxon propaganda. At the same time, the envoy noted that he managed to do a lot towards finding a basis for close and friendly cooperation on an equal basis and on the principles of mutual respect between Egypt and the USSR. In this regard, Bindari Pasha stated that his government and especially the king, who is a great nationalist and firmly defending the national independence of Egypt, gave him, Bindari Pasha, high confidence and instructed him to continue to carry out his mission in Moscow in the interests of strengthening friendly relations between Egypt and the USSR.

After such an introduction, the envoy, on behalf of his government, proceeded to set out the main purpose of his visit, warning that he was doing this in a strictly confidential manner.

The envoy said that the main principle of Egypt's foreign policy is based on the geographical and economic characteristics of the country. Egypt is the undoubted factor of peace. He is fighting for his independence and does not want to join any bloc. In accordance with this policy, the Egyptian government rejected the offer of the Greek government for Tsaldaris to visit Cairo in order to organize a conference of representatives of Egypt and the countries of the Middle East, including representatives of Turkey, to work out a treaty based on the same principles on which the treaty concluded between England is based. France and Benelux. The envoy explained that the main purpose of the treaty would be aimed at combating communism and against the Soviet Union. The envoy said that the Egyptian Foreign Minister, on behalf of the government, categorically rejected the offer of Tsaldaris and the Greek government. At the same time, the minister said that the issue of communism is an internal affair of each country. As for the pursuit of a policy directed against the USSR, then, according to the envoy, the Egyptian government cannot join such a policy, since Egypt has no claims against the Soviet Union. This was stated by the Egyptian government to Tsaldaris.

The envoy then said that Egypt is determined to defend the principles of its foreign policy, which are based on the desire of the Egyptian people to free themselves from the influence of Western European imperialism. In furtherance of these principles, Egypt refused to sign a treaty with Britain and will not sign a similar treaty with any other country that would wish to use Egypt as a strategic base. According to the envoy, such a policy of the Egyptian government could lead Egypt to a conflict with the Anglo-Saxons.

Bindari Pasha then dwelled on the economic features of Egypt. He said that Egypt needs to develop its industry in the import of the necessary raw materials, chemical products, oil and products derived from it. Egypt is also in need of equipment for military factories, etc.

In this regard, the envoy said that after some success he had achieved in clearing up the gloomy atmosphere created by foreign propaganda in Egypt around the Soviet Union, he would like to discuss with the representatives of the USSR to what extent cooperation in its specific form between Egypt and USSR, the shape and volume of which will be dictated by the circumstances.

The envoy asked if Egypt could count on Soviet assistance in the following areas:

1. To obtain oil and products derived from it.

2. For economic assistance so that Egypt would be able to fulfill its program of maintaining complete independence from Western countries. In connection with this point, the envoy made a proposal to conclude a commercial agreement, similar to the agreements concluded by the USSR with Poland and Romania.

I asked the envoy to clarify the nature of the agreement.
The envoy replied that this was an economic agreement. A political agreement may follow after a certain period.

3. To provide weapons and equipment for newly built military factories.
For its part, Egypt, according to the envoy, has the ability to supply cotton and other goods to the Soviet Union. For some goods, Egypt could pay with mottos.

The envoy concluded by saying that he wanted the Soviet Government to consider as soon as possible the proposed proposal, which was of a strictly confidential nature. The envoy especially stressed that he wanted the Soviet Government to believe in Egypt's sincere desire to establish strong friendly relations with the USSR.

At the same time, the envoy noted that the king also adheres to this point of view, around whom, unfortunately, harmful rumors are spread that the USSR is working against him. The messenger stated that he sought to dispel these rumors.

In conclusion, the envoy noted that the USSR can in the future rely on Egypt with full confidence to wage the struggle against the Western imperialists.

I replied to the envoy that the USSR is always positive about the possibility of strengthening cooperation and friendly relations with those countries that are striving for the same. With regard to the statement I heard and the proposals set forth by the envoy, I believe that both the statement and the proposals deserve serious attention. I firmly denied the provocative rumors spread by hostile propaganda in Egypt that the USSR was allegedly working against the king, stressing that, as the whole world knows, the USSR does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

In conclusion on this issue, I made it clear to the envoy in a general way that the issue of providing weapons to the country should be resolved within the framework of a UN resolution in connection with the war in Palestine.

The envoy made an attempt to start discussing the Palestinian question. But I rejected this attempt, stating that the position of the Soviet Union on this issue is completely clear, and therefore I do not see the need to consider this issue. The envoy hastened to declare that the main issue he raised in today's conversation is in no way connected with the Palestinian problem, and therefore he does not intend to dwell on it. At the same time, the envoy noted that the British are trying to drown the Egyptian question into the Palestinian problem.

Then the messenger handed me two notes (see appendix) 1. In the first note, the Egyptian Government asks the Soviet Government to allow it to send its representatives in accordance with the existing agreement on the supply of grain dated March 3, 1947 to the points of grain dispatch to establish control over the quality of the shipped cargo. In a second note, the Egyptian government asks the Soviet Government to support its request to determine the location of the UN Economic Commission for the Middle East in Cairo.

I told the envoy that both notes would be transmitted by me to their destination.

Before leaving, the envoy made a personal request to assist him in organizing his trip to Siberia. I did not engage in the envoy, referring to the difficulties in organizing this trip, since Intourist did not develop its work in this direction. At the same time, the envoy asked to help him in the opportunity to go in for water sports.

I promised to take an interest in this issue. The conversation lasted 1 h. 30 m.

A. Vyshinsky
Comrade Starikov was present at the conversation.
WUA RF. F. 087. Op. 11.P. 16.D. 5.L. 16-21.