740.0011 EW 1939/31989: Telegram
The Minister in Egypt (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
Cairo, November 18, 1943—4
p.m.
2122. My 2109, November 17, 1 p.m.1
Casey has given me the following additional explanations:
- (1)
- In absence of instructions from London and Washington no censorship stop on press speculation was imposed here as releases about prospective conferences of high officials had already appeared from both capitals.
- (2)
- As regards this area press stop which must be communicated to junior Egyptian officials of Anglo-Egyptian censorship would become widely known at once and in view of previous releases from [Page 97] London and Washington would have indicated Cairo as meeting place of high officials. Reliance was therefore placed upon cover plan which British had agreed to.
- (3)
- As matter stands now censorship stop prevails which was put out from London on November 14th just after transmission from Cairo of the United Press report in question, and in addition cover stories are being circulated indicating Luxor and Jerusalem as possible meeting places.
I need scarcely add that as regards these cover stories both places mentioned are not in my opinion to be regarded as seriously intentioned alternative places as Luxor is out of bounds owing to prevalence of malaria and Jerusalem would raise grave political objections.
Kirk