On 2 October 1955, Maurice Couve de Murville, French Ambassador to Washington, sends a telegram to Antoine Pinay in which he gives details of a conversation with Charles Shuckburgh, Assistant Under-Secretary of State in the British Foreign Office, on the consequences of the Egyptian-Soviet arms agreement. Charles Shuckburgh is concerned at the growing influence of the USSR in the region and outlines the various options available to deal with it. He particularly emphasises how importance it is for the Western powers to strengthen their position among the other Arab states.