Office of the Historian

321. Memorandum of a Conversation, White House, Washington, January 30, 1956, 2:15 p.m.1

ETW MC–1
Washington, January 30, 1956, 2:15 p.m.

PARTICIPANTS

  • US
    • The Secretary
    • Under Secretary Hoover
    • Ambassador Aldrich
    • Mr. Merchant
    • Mr. MacArthur
    • Mr. Bowie
    • Mr. Allen
    • Mr. Rountree
    • Mr. Hagerty
    • Mr. Cottman
  • UK
    • Prime Minister Eden
    • Foreign Secretary Lloyd
    • Ambassador Makins
    • Sir Harold Caccia
    • Sir Leslie Rowan
    • Mr. Evelyn Shuckburgh
    • Mr. Ian Samuel
    • Mr. Willie Morris

[Here follows discussion of press arrangements during Eden’s visit; the draft of a declaration to be issued at the conclusion of the talks; European integration; the Arab-Israeli conflict; Saudi Arabia and the Buraimi dispute (see Document 212); and the Baghdad Pact, Iran, and Iraq.]

Syria

Turning to Syria, the Secretary remarked Syria seemed to be behaving much like a Soviet satellite. In most issues, he said, the Syrians were on the same side as the Soviet Union. The situation left much to be desired, and various plans had been put forward … to effect a change in Syria, but none seemed sufficiently sound to warrant our support.

Mr. Hoover observed that any of the suggestions thus far made … would put Nasser “off on a tangent” and would make it most difficult to deal with him on other problems, including an Israeli settlement.

The Secretary commented that if it should be decided to move against Nasser, it might be wise to consider Syria as well; however, that thus far there had been no sound plans put forward.

Mr. Lloyd thought that … it would be wise first to strengthen relations between Iraq and Jordan and to stabilize the situation in those countries.

[Page 568]

[Here follows discussion of Jordan (see Document 16).]

  1. Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 648. Secret. Drafted on February 7. No other drafting information is given on the source text. The meeting concluded at 4 p.m. Prime Minister Eden visited Washington January 30–February 3, 1956.↩