Oral history transcript, Lucius D. Battle, interview 3 (III), 9/15/1983, by Ted Gittinger

Battle's relationships with Dean Acheson, Abe Fortas, and William Fulbright; John Badeau; foreign relations between the United States and Egypt, especially regarding PL 480 and wheat; Gamal Abdel Nasser's speeches regarding Egypt's relations with the U.S.; Battle's communications with Nasser; Cairo as a desirable ambassadorial post; morale at the Cairo embassy; living in Cairo; spy satellites and photographic reconnaissance; the 1964 downing of John Mecom's plane by the Egyptian air force; Battle's opinion of Miles Copeland; Battle's duties as ambassador to the United Arab Republic (Egypt); David Nes; purchasing property for the U.S. government in Egypt with blocked pounds; LBJ sending emissaries to Egypt such as John McCloy and Averell Harriman; Nasser's ignorance of American government; Battle's relationship with the press; information leaks; the Arab understanding of breaking diplomatic relations; Nasser's goals for Egypt and his increased recognition among world leaders; the state of Egypt at the time of Battle's departure; whether Nasser intended to start the Six-Day War with Israel; U.S. goals for Egypt; Battle's relationship with Anwar Sadat; Sadat's visit to the U.S. and rise to power.