305. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the Secretary of State and the Director of Central Intelligence (Dulles), Washington, September 24, 1955, 9:02 a.m.1
AWD returned the call. AWD said he had an excellent trip, and the Sec. explained his schedule for the next few days. The Sec. said they were talking about the Egyptian situation.2 They thought of various things to do. The Pres. is writing to Bulganin in reply to his letter.3 They thought he would make a reference to it. The Sec. doesn’t know how reliable our facts are. AWD said the facts seem pretty firm. The Sec. said the Israelis don’t seem to be aware of this nor do the British. AWD was surprised about the British. The Sec. said he talked with Molotov4—he didn’t deny it so the Sec. thinks there is something to it. The magnitude is the important thing. AWD referred to the report of getting light jet bombers. The Soviets [Page 512] would not give them to them and they couldn’t use them. His people are certain it is signed. AWD doesn’t think we are going to get far protesting to the Russians. They will say you send arms to Iran and Turkey. The Sec. said they have the legal right to, but it may lead to war. AWD said maybe that is what they want. The Sec. said he didn’t think they would get far talking with Egypt—AWD sort of agreed and said we have not given them arms. They want them. The Sec. said we made them a big and liberal offer of arms. AWD didn’t know about it—it probably happened when he was away. The Sec. said he really wanted to know how solid the facts were. Maybe we should wait. AWD said to wait . . . a couple of days. . . . AWD or someone will call George Allen.
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations. Transcribed by Bernau.↩
- See footnote 5, supra.↩
- See footnote 4, Document 303.↩
- See Document 286.↩