883.113/11–2647
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Merriam) to the Chief of the Munitions Division (Cummins)
With regard to your request for our comments on the attached memorandum to Under Secretary Lovett from Mr. Edwin W. Pauley, Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Army dated November 26, 19471 relating to the question of the establishment of a small arms and ammunition industry in Egypt, we believe that since it is our present policy not to furnish ammunition to Near Eastern countries,2 we should not assist in the setting up of a small arms and ammunition industry in Egypt. The matter may be reconsidered, however, in the light of future events and developments in Egypt and other Near Eastern countries.
- Not printed; it stated that “Generally speaking, the Army takes the position that except for the military implications, it is entirely a matter for the State Department to decide whether or not this government should assist in the establishment of facilities for the production of combat weapons and the ammunition therefor in a foreign country.” (883.113/11–2647)↩
- For the “present” arms policy adopted on November 14, 1947, see telegram Telmar 42, December 6, to London, p. 1300. The Embassy in Cairo reported in telegram 1232, October 16, a request from the Egyptian Army to purchase 2000 Thompson machine guns and 500,000 rounds of ammunition. The Department notified the Embassy in telegram 1598, November 28, that the transaction had been disapproved (883.24 FLC/10–1647).↩