Ahmed Hussein

Ahmed Hussein brought experience in agricultural and social administration to Egypt’s Washington embassy. He trained in agronomy in Berlin, worked in the social affairs ministry, and served as social affairs minister before becoming ambassador in 1953. Rural development remained central to the arguments he made for American assistance, particularly during the negotiations over the Aswan High Dam. ^{1, 2, 3}

At the beginning of his Washington posting, Hussein confronted the disagreement between Egypt and the Western powers over defense of the Suez Canal. On 4 May 1953, he told Assistant Secretary Henry Byroade that he had conferred for five hours with Muhammad Naguib and members of the Revolutionary Command Council before leaving Cairo. Egypt, he insisted, could not accept a proposed Middle East Defense Organization or replacement of British troops by other Western forces: either would perpetuate occupation under a different form. His alternative began with unconditional British evacuation and stronger Arab forces organized through the Arab League’s collective security pact. Egypt would welcome arms and economic assistance but would make no additional direct defense commitments to the Western powers. Byroade answered that definite commitments were needed to justify American aid to Congress. ⁴

On 19 July 1956, Hussein made a final effort to preserve Western support for the Aswan High Dam. Returning from consultations with Gamal Abdel Nasser, he told Secretary of State John Foster Dulles that the project was essential to Egypt’s expanding population and electricity needs. He argued that its costs could be spread over time and that cooperation with the World Bank, Britain, and the United States would improve the political relationship. Speaking personally, he warned that a Soviet offer could become harder for Nasser to resist. Dulles nevertheless confirmed that Washington’s withdrawal was final, citing political estrangement, congressional opposition, and doubts about undertaking a project of that scale. ³