The Israeli Invasion of Sinai and the Anglo-French Ultimatum, October 29–30
436. Draft Message From President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Eden
Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, White House Telephone Conversations. Top Secret; Personal and Private. Attached to a note from Whitman to Bernau which reads: “Here is the message the President just called Secretary Dulles about. He wants the Secretary to give it final approval before sending out.”
At 4:54 p.m. on October 30 President Eisenhower telephoned Dulles and read to him the text of a draft letter responding to Eden’s second message that had crossed Eisenhower’s message earlier in the day. Dulles responded to the draft by noting, according to the White House transcript, “there is another thing, of course—the great tragedy just when the whole Soviet fabric is collapsing, now the British and French are going to be doing the same thing over again.” Dulles suggested that the President add: “I am afraid we will be back in the same pasture as the Soviets in Hungary.” Eisenhower agreed to “work it in” and said he would send the draft to Dulles for final editing. (Ibid., Whitman File, Eisenhower Diaries; a separate memorandum of conversation by Bernau is ibid., Dulles Papers, White House Telephone Conversations)
437. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, October 30, 1956, 4:40 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/10–3056. Confidential. Drafted by Elbrick. The time of the meeting is from Dulles’ Appointment Book. (Princeton University Library, Dulles Papers)
438. Memorandum of a Conversation Between the Egyptian Ambassador (Hussein) and the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (Rountree), Department of State, Washington, October 30, 1956
Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/10–3056. Confidential. Drafted by Wilkins between November 1 and 5.