Office of the Historian

190. Memorandum for the Files, by Francis H. Russell of the Office of Near Eastern Affairs1

Washington,August 12, 1955.

SUBJECT

  • Alpha: Points Made at Meeting with Secretary today2
1.

He will give speech on Wednesday, Sept. 28.3 He will be in New York at that time for the meeting of GA (Foreign Ministers of Big Three) and therefore would give speech there.

He approved idea of giving it at luncheon meeting of Council on Foreign Relations. An effort should be made to obtain radio and TV coverage, if possible, but no pressure should be brought to bear for it.

2.
Re obtaining bipartisan support: Secretary approved making an approach to Sen.George and Rep.Richards; also, Sen.Wiley and Rep. Vorys should be informed; and since they will presumably not be in Washington at that time, they would have to be approached individually by someone (other than the Secretary) conversant with Alpha. They should be given an outline of what he intends to say butnot the text.
3.
GVA4 will see Ambassador Johnston. The Secretary wishes Johnston to conclude his negots by Sept. 19 so that some time will elapse between their conclusion and the Secretary’s speech.
4.
Ambassador Bohlen should be informed of the Secretary’s statement beforehand and instructed to inform the Soviet Foreign Office, on the day that the Secretary makes his statement, in very general terms, saying that we hope that this effort to bring about peace in the area will have Soviet support.
5.
The Secretary will inform Ambassador Lodge of his intention to make a statement. The Secretary thought that the info should be confined to Ambassador Lodge in the UNA area for the time being.
6.
The Secretary approved the changes checked on FHR’s5 copy of the Aug. 11 draft.6 He intends to draft an additional paragraph or two for the speech, making the point that it is not within the capacity of the countries in the area themselves to bring about settlement, since they do not have the financial resources necessary for the compensation of the refugees, nor the military resources to create their own security.7 It is therefore incumbent upon outside countries to do more than merely exhort the parties to make a settlement. If there is to be a settlement, outside countries must provide the financial resources and the security guarantees that will eliminate fear of aggression.
7.
The Secretary thought that Israel should be informed at least three days beforehand, i.e., Israel should be given at least the same advance notice as Egypt, Iraq and Jordan.
8.
Re item A–3. in the “Suggested Steps” (Tab B8): Some reference should be made to the time at which the approaches are made to Iraq and Jordan—presumably the British approach would be three days before and the U.S. approach two days before.
9.
Re France:9 An approach should be made about 10 days beforehand by Ambassador Dillon to Pinay. It should be very general and should tend to minimize the importance of the statement. It should say that the IG has been, for a considerable time now, asking a security guarantee of the US and that the US feels that there should be some improvement in the relations between Israel and its neighbors before the US can give such a commitment. The Secretary will express the hope that such an improvement can be brought about. The Ambassador should say that the US hopes that the French and British will support the Secretary’s suggestions. The British should not approach the French beforehand.
10.
Re Item A–8.10 in the “Suggested Steps”: The Secretary believes that no approaches should be made beforehand to India, Pakistan and Ceylon.
  1. Source: Department of State,NEA Files: Lot 59 D 518, Alpha—Memos and corres. July l–Aug. 26 (day of Secy’s speech). Top Secret; Alpha.↩
  2. According to Secretary Dulles’ Appointment Book, the meeting began at 2:35 p.m. Those present were the Secretary,Allen,Jernegan,Murphy,Hare, and Russell. (Princeton University Library, Dulles Papers)↩
  3. The Embassy in London was instructed on August 12 to inform Shuckburgh of this decision. (Telegram 779; Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/8–1255)↩
  4. George V. Allen.↩
  5. Francis H. Russell.↩
  6. Not printed.Russell sent the Secretary a copy of this draft on August 12, with a covering memorandum and a paper entitled “Suggested Steps Prior To And Following Secretary’s Statement”. (Department of State,NEA Files: Lot 59 D 518, Alpha— Memos and corres., July l–Aug. 26 (day of Secy’ speech)↩
  7. On August 15,Russell sent Dulles a redraft incorporating these changes. (Ibid.,S/S–NEA Files: Lot 61 D 417, Alpha Volume 6)↩
  8. Not printed; see footnote 6 above.↩
  9. Reference is to item A–6 of Tab B, “Suggested Steps Prior To And Following Secretary’s Statement”.↩
  10. Item A–8 of Tab B recommended that the British High Commissioners should inform the “old” Commonwealth nations of the Secretary’s speech about a week prior to its delivery, and these governments should be asked to express their public support for the Secretary’s proposals. It was further suggested that U.S. representatives should not approach the Governments of India, Pakistan, and Ceylon for support until 24 hours in advance of the speech.↩