974.5301/8–151: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Department of State
670. At conclusion my discussion on Iran with Morrison this morning, he took occasion to urge that US and UK stay in close step on problem Suez canal restrictions, reveal no hesitation or doubts to Egyptians about the case for abolishing restrictions and, in this connection, get on with SC action without further delay. He had felt obliged instruct Jebb make his statement in SC today and thought any delay in pushing SC action wld merely play further into Egypt hands. He did not mean we shld cease exploring possibilities of settlement short of SC action, but he did think US and UK efforts in this direction shld be closely coordinated and shld not deter decision by SC.
Brit are convinced that, in absence any practical proposals from Egypts and countless times they have already been approached on subject, they have no intention lift restrictions and are merely throwing sand in our eyes in pretending anything else. In Brit view, only thing likely budge Egypt at this point is knowledge that SC will act decisively. Brit inclination therefore is not to delay much longer in tabling UK res even tho full agreement on sponsorship may not have been reached. Brit do not think any other steps short of this, such as appointing Rapporteur, will get us any where.