Office of the Historian

148. Telegram From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Department of State1

London,July 8, 1955—2 p.m.

86. From Russell.2 At conclusion of meetings yesterday3Shuckburgh and Minister of State Nutting indicated that, despite earlier misgivings about public Alpha statement by Secretary in near future, they are inclined believe, in view of all circumstances, it probably a desirable step.Shuckburgh expressed general approval of Secretary’s draft statement4 subject to further discussion on question of degree of specificity.

Though less definite on this score,Shuckburgh and Nutting also indicated they would recommend to Macmillan when they see him Monday that he make statement immediately following Secretary’s. Nutting said he would prefer have statement made in Commons, which he is sure would give its support. Commons however rises on July 27 and three of us agreed statements should not be made before Israel elections, July 26. Nutting said undoubtedly some other appropriate forum could be found. I would appreciate Department’s confirmation that possibility Commons discussion and approval does [Page 280] not alter previous Departmental position statement should be made around August 15.5

Shuckburgh said Treasury has approved in principle UK providing of pounds sterling 10 to 15 million to Israeli Government towards refugee compensation fund. Treasury also agreed to approve, if requested by Israeli Government and if necessary to raising of balance of compensation fund by Israeli Government, some means by which Israeli Government could obtain funds from British Jewry.

I am discussing with Foreign Office today measures which could be taken preliminary to, and following, Secretary’s and Macmillan’s statements to assure greatest possible general support and most likely acceptance by parties.Shuckburgh plans go to Paris with Macmillan. It is his understanding Secretary and Macmillan lunching Friday July 15th6 and Alpha discussion probably then.7 I plan leave for Paris Thursday morning to report to Secretary on results London discussion.

Aldrich
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/7–855. Top Secret; Alpha; Limited Distribution. Received at 11:14 a.m.↩
  2. Russell flew to London on July 7 to discuss with Shuckburgh the content and timing of the Secretary’s proposed public statement. (Telegram 6587 to London, June 30;ibid., 684A.86/6–3055; telegram 3 from London, July 1;Ibid., 684A.86/7–155; telegram 7 to London, July 1;ibid.)↩
  3. Shuckburgh, officers of the Foreign Office,Russell, and representatives of the U.S. Embassy met on July 7 and again on July 11. British officials prepared summary minutes of these meetings; these documents areibid.,NEA Files: Lot 59 D 518, Alpha: London Talks, July 7–15: Minutes of 2 meetings held at Fon Off.↩
  4. Presumably Russell had taken with him a copy of the third draft of the Secretary’s proposed public statement on Alpha, which was dated June 28. (Ibid., Alpha—Memos, etc., beginning after 2d London Talks—April 26–June 30, ’55)↩
  5. The Department informed Russell that it continued to believe that both statements should be made around August 15. (Telegram 150 to London, July 9;ibid., Central Files, 684A.86/7–855)↩
  6. Preceding the Heads of Government meeting at Geneva,Dulles was in Paris, July 14–16, for the Ministerial meeting of the North Atlantic Council and related conferences.↩
  7. Macmillan and Dulles discussed Alpha on July 14. See Document 158.↩