396.1 GE/7–1854: Telegram

The United States Delegation to the Department of State

secret

Secto 649. Limit distribution. I think UK message to Colombo powers, Australia and New Zealand (Secto 6441) is satisfactory step forward particularly since Eden is talking in terms of making declaration of intention as early as Thursday, July 22 in event of failure Geneva negotiations. Message itself may have salutary effect on work of conference when Communist delegates become aware of UK approach to Colombo powers.

Should, however, conference produce settlement Eden is hoping for more time and would like a delay of two or three weeks before making declaration of intention. His thought is that first thing following a settlement is to get Colombo powers to declare their support thereof and with this in mind is suggesting to them a form of words along the lines of proposed US unilateral declaration. It is clear that in this eventuality we will need to keep pushing Eden for earliest possible action.

Smith
  1. Dated July 18, p. 1434.