974.531/7–3151: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Department of State
priority
168. Re Suez: Muniz called Gross to ascertain our present position re appointment of rapporteur. Although he had not yet received instructions from his govt, he expressed personal view that rapporteur should not be appointed unless (a) he were authorized to “conciliate” on the basic issues dividing the Arabs and Israel and (b) there were some prospect of success in such efforts. He believed that we could not expect a solution of the Suez issue by taking it out of context of the whole problem of Israel-Arab relations and applying a “purgative”. [Page 811] Gross explained US viewpoint that Suez question is in reality an issue of compliance with armistice agreement and that purpose of rapporteurship was to present Egypt with an opportunity to find a method of voluntarily complying with their obligations under the armistice agreement without formal SC action. Gross agreed with Muniz that we should not now decide question of appointing rapporteur, but we should within the next few days have a full exploration with him and other colleagues on the council re next steps.
Gross also gave to Muniz full account of discussions with Fawzi, reported ourtel 164 dated July 30, 1951.1 Muniz gave impression of having second thoughts about putting his nose in a wringer, but agreed to full exploration of problem.