LETTER TO L. K. WHITE FROM (SANITIZED)

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP78-03097A000200030179-5
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
C
Document Page Count: 
2
Document Creation Date: 
December 21, 2016
Document Release Date: 
December 9, 2008
Sequence Number: 
179
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
July 20, 1948
Content Type: 
MEMO
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP78-03097A000200030179-5.pdf86.82 KB
Body: 
Approved For Release 2008/12/09: CIA-RDP78-03097A000200030179-5 Colonel L. K. White Chie f, FBIS 2430 E Street M Washington 25, D.C. Dear Colonel Whites 20 July 1948 It is impossible to tell from the local press what information if any you are receiving on the situation here in Cairo. That you may be adequately informed for planning purposes I am submitting an estimate of the situation together with recommendations. THE SITUATION: Although the Government of Egypt appears to be thoroughly satisfied that the FBIB operation is in no way directed against Governmental interests and seems to be content to allow continuation under the present agreements, the operation cannot be considered stable or secure. As a result of recent bombing attacks, presumably by the Jews, and the Security Council's oease fire order, mob violence has broken out on a rather large scale. The violence is not directed toward any particular national group but against all non-Egyptian and non-Arabic groups. Jews, Greeks, British, and .aerioans have been killed or beaten within the last few days. The American who was killed was a sightseer and his wife was beaten. Several FBIS employees have been molested but no serious casualties yet. and 25X1 his family were stoned while riding in a taxi last evening. has 25X1 ordered that no one go down town at night. A bomb believed to be planted exploded one block from Shepheard's Hotel, where I am staying, last night and a mob immediately gathered. The polio* lost control of the situation but the mob was disbursed by an AA barrage which rained shell fragments on the streets. It is reported that a great many staboings occurred during this episode. The effoot on our operation we are Having to transport then to and from their i terrified r homes. Some absenteeism exists and it is likely that more will develop. The situation may ease in which Case our problems would decrease in direct proportion. The situation may continue in the present tenor in which case we could continue our operations under the present difficult circumstances. The situation may worsen in which ease it would probably mean serious curtailment of the operation. I am inclined to think that the second contingency will prevail for the duration of Basmr.dan gradually lifting to a more satisfactory state of affairs, however, I do not believe that we should be unprepared to establish an emergency operation in Cyprus on very short notice and to evacuate all American personnel and their families as well as other personnel who desire and could arrange exit. HECOh NDATIONa 0 V U L U Tlitt the yprus station be expedited. That plans for an Approved For Release 2008/12/09: CIA-RDP78-03097A000200030179-5 Approved For Release 2008/12/09: CIA-RDP78-03097A000200030179-5 EMERGENCY OPERATI HE EXPEDITED emergency operation be expedited, and kept alive. That the build up of American persor,z,el for the Mediterragean Bureau be confined to sale employees at this time. Ta*t nom-dasrican personnel be trained elsewhere than in Cairo. I plan to aN Very snortly at which time I will discuss these matters with hia. arNin oa ,ons of a classified nature are only possible from Cairo to Cyprus at this time. Yours very truly, /a/ Approved For Release 2008/12/09: CIA-RDP78-03097A000200030179-5