139. Editorial Note
On March 16, Richards and the Government of Lebanon issued a joint communiqué at Beirut, noting the similar purposes of Lebanon and the United States, and announcing the agreement in principle on certain forms of aid. For text of the communiqué, see Department of State Bulletin, May 6, 1957, pages 725–726.
On April 11, at the 319th meeting of the National Security Council, the President presiding, Allen Dulles, Director of Central Intelligence, in his review of significant world developments affecting United States security, discussed the situation in Lebanon. The memorandum of discussion includes the following statement by Dulles:
“News from the Lebanon is very encouraging, with the Egyptians apparently giving up hope of exercising much influence over the forthcoming Lebanese elections.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)
On April 24, Chamoun wrote to Eisenhower expressing concern over the crisis in Jordan. For text of Eisenhower’s reply, dated April 25, see Document 78.