128. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Egypt1
2224. Secretary discussed Alpha with Macmillan New York 16th.2 Stated it would be necessary for him make basic policy statement on Israel situation;USG must have clear and official position. He would try shape statement along lines consistent with Alpha but without revealing or referring to that operation. General purport would be that if boundaries, transit and refugee problems [Page 249] could be solved, US might be willing participate in joint or UN guarantee. Secretary indicated statement should be made after Israel elections to avoid its becoming election issue. Said he would clear statement in advance with Macmillan.
Macmillan inquired whether Egypt and Israel should be informed in advance of what Secretary intended say and what UK would say in support. He noted Israel wanted treaty substituted for Tripartite Declaration and that he had taken line it not appropriate guarantee a truce by treaty.
Agreed US–UK should discuss further general content and timing public statements on problem.3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/6–2055. Top Secret; Alpha; Limited Distribution. Drafted by Burdett and approved by Jernegan, who signed for Hoover. Also sent to London. Repeated to Tel Aviv on June 22. (Ibid., 684A.86/ 6–2255)↩
- Memoranda of this conversation areIbid., Conference Files: Lot 63 D 123,CF 481, and S/S–NEA Files: Lot 61 D 417, Alpha Volume.↩
- Russell flew to London on July 7 for further discussions with Shuckburgh. (Telegram 6587 to London, June 30;Ibid., Central Files, 684A.86/6–3055; telegram 3 from London, July 1;Ibid., 684A.86/7–155; and telegram 7 to London, July 1;ibid.)↩