357. Memorandum of Discussion at the 331st Meeting of the National Security Council, Washington, July 18, 19571
[Here follow a paragraph listing the participants at the meeting and the first part of Allen Dulles’ briefing under agenda item 1 entitled “Significant World Developments Affecting U.S. Security”.]
Mr. [Allen] Dulles then turned to the Middle East. He said that Nasser was scheduled to make a major speech on July 23, an anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution and approximately the first anniversary of the nationalization of the Suez Canal. Some people are guessing that Nasser’s speech will contain a call for a holy war against Israel. Recent trop movements in Syria have also led to the rumor that Nasser may proclaim a union with Syria. In any event, Nasser is in a mood to make extreme statements, particularly since his disappointment in the results of the Egyptian elections.
Mr. Dulles then noted that the situation in the Gulf of Aqaba was acute, and that, according to Naval Intelligence reports, was being exacerbated by the presence of Israeli war vessels. Nasser appeared to be trying to get King Saud back in his camp as a result of the Gulf of Aqaba issue.
Secretary Dulles noted that King Saud had been reasonably well satisfied with the recent U.S. aide-mémoire,2 and that our relations with him appeared to be better than ever before. The President said he had read the comments which Saud had made on receipt of our aidemémoire. [Page 695] Admiral Radford said he was concerned over the situation created by Israeli-Syrian relations. It did not seem to him that the strong Syrian reaction against Israel had been justified by anything the Israelis had done. Mr. Allen Dulles said that Syria had provocation in mind.
Secretary Dulles said that both Egypt and Syria were deliberately trying to provoke a crisis. Admiral Radford wondered whether anything could be done to cool off the situation. Mr. Allen Dulles said it was possible that the young and militant group in Syria which was making a great deal of noise at the present time, wanted a foreign adventure as an excuse for taking over the government.
Admiral Radford pointed out that in the event of Syrian-Israeli hostilities, Jordan would be obliged to join Syria against Israel. Secretary Dulles doubted that Jordan would automatically join Syria. Admiral Radford said that in the event of Syrian-Israeli hostilities, the Israelis would have no difficulty in defeating Syria if they were allowed to use their full military capabilities.
Mr. Cutler asked whether a UN team was not at present in the area. Admiral Radford said such a team was there, but its activity was restricted to reporting after the fact. He wished to emphasize the fact that events could happen any day which would change the whole situation very rapidly. Mr. Dulles thought that Israel would probably not take strong action against Syria, and Admiral Radford agreed that the Israelis had thus far been quite restrained.
The President wondered whether the United States should not tell Israel that the Syrians were merely trying to provoke a crisis. Secretary Dulles said this had already been done.
Mr. Cutler asked whether Lebanon was involved in this crisis. Mr. Allen Dulles said that Lebanon had recently protested to Syria over border incidents.
The President asked what military capabilities Syria had. Admiral Radford said the Syrians had some Soviet equipment, but were probably not fully trained in its use. The President said if the Syrians tried to use it before they were ready, they would probably lose it all.
[Here follows the remaining agenda items including discussion of the military implications of Joint Resolution 117 on the Middle East (scheduled for publication in volume XII).]
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records. Top Secret; Eyes Only. Prepared by Boggs on July 19.↩
- Document 355.↩