158. Message From Prime Minister Macmillan to President Eisenhower1
Dear Friend: I have just heard that Foster is unfortunately away during this troublesome situation which is developing about Oman and the forthcoming United Nations Security Council debate.
Although there is still time after Foster gets back on Monday for a decision to be taken by your Government to vote against inscribing this matter on the Agenda, I hope that you will not mind my asking you yourself in the meantime to have a look at the [Page 241] message Selwyn has sent Foster. I would not worry you except for this one reason. We have done such a lot together during the past few months to get things right between us that it would really be tragic if they go wrong again.2
Yours ever,
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File. Secret. According to a notation on another copy of Macmillan’s letter, it was received at the White House on Saturday, August 17. (Department of State, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 66 D 204, Macmillan to Eisenhower Correspondence, 1957–1958, vol. 11) The text of the Macmillan letter was sent to the Embassy in London for its information. (Telegram 1388 to London, August 18; ibid., Central Files, 786E.00/8–1857)↩
- In a further message to Eisenhower dated August 18, Macmillan noted: “You will of course realise that anything which may make the Sultan of Muscat feel that doubts are being cast on the essential unity of Muscat and Oman will make it almost impossible to get him to accept the idea of a meeting with King Saud.” He added, “Both of us, I think, believe that direct negotiations between them is the thing to work for.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File)↩
- Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩