12. Editorial Note
On January 9, President Eisenhower signed letters introducing former Deputy Secretary of Defense and personal friend, Robert B. Anderson, to Egyptian Prime Minister Nasser and to Israeli Prime Minister Ben Gurion and informing them that he had asked Anderson to review and to discuss with them the serious problems confronting Egypt, Israel, and the Middle East in general. The President indicated to Ben Gurion and Nasser that “Anderson fully understands my personal concern and hopes in this area, which I am sure you and he will want to explore completely.” President Eisenhower also expressed his hope to both of them that they would be able to work effectively with Anderson “to render … valuable assistance in working toward settlement of these problems.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Dulles–Herter Series)