974.5301/7–951: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Mission at the United Nations1
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17. Re Suez. Dept views on SC consideration of Suez Canal dispute as follows:
1. Dept holds little hope that diplomatic representations to Egypt re lifting blockade restrictions will succeed;
2. Dept inclined neither to encourage nor discourage SC action but assumes Israeli initiative that problem will be brought before SC in near future.
3. Dept firmly of opinion US shld not take lead in SC debate but shld support SC action which may effect lifting Suez restrictions. Dept assumes that UK and Fr will be inclined take lead in debate and we will want cooperate closely with them. US does not intend initiate or sponsor res on problem unless it appears likely res attempting to effect lifting of blockade wld fail of adoption without US co-sponsorship.
4. Dept believes two aspects problem will have to be considered during SC debate:
- (a)
- Restrictions as they affect Egypt–Israel relations;
- (b)
- Restrictions as they affect US interests without regard to Egypt–Israel situation, that is effect blockade on rights other UN Members.
Re (a) US position in SC debate wld in large measure be conditioned by theory of complaint Israel presented to Council. SC cld consider problem as facet Palestine problem which SC has been authorized to consider by GA, or alternatively as dispute continuation of which is likely to endanger maintenance of internatl peace and security, or on both theories.
Re (b) US position wld be, as expressed on numerous occasions to Egypt Govt, that restrictions, unreasonable, impracticable, and unjust, and adversely affect US interests. We wld emphasize restrictions detrimental legitimate world commerce and as such might well impair general internatl relations.
5. Objective of res shld be lifting restrictions on grounds that there is no basis for their continuance. Egypt justification for continuance restrictions on ground of belligerency untenable since SC wld deem armistice agreement terminated belligerency. SC cld call upon or recommend Egypt lift blockade or possibly merely suspend blockade [Page 757] pending opinion of ICJ as to whether Egypt has legal right to exercise such blockade.
6. Dept agrees with USUN” that certain risks are involved in SC consideration this question and believes that res shld be tailored in such way as to produce maximum effect with least possible exacerbation of relations.
7. Foregoing may be discussed only with UKDel at this time.
- Drafted by Messrs. Stabler (NE) and Ludlow (UNP); cleared in substance with McGhee (NEA) and Ranney (BNA); cleared also with G. L. Jones (NE) and Wainhouse (UNP); authorized for transmission and signed for the Secretary by Hickerson (UNA). Repeated for information to Tel Aviv, Cairo, Jerusalem (for Ambassador Palmer), Paris, and London.↩