Office of the Historian

290. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom1

Washington, April 18, 1956—7:40 p.m.

6231. Eyes only for Ambassador. This message, following message and any other message carrying new slug “Limit Distribution— Presidential Handling” are to be seen only by Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission. Any cable referring to such message [Page 548] should be slugged “Limit Distribution—Presidential Handling” to ensure most limited distribution and expeditious handling.

FYI following is text of letter delivered by UK Embassy Washington from Prime Minister to President and relates to President’s letter (Deptel Eyes Only 58812) of April 5. For reply see immediately following Presidential Handling Deptel 6232.3

Begin text. April 18, 1956

My dear friend, I am grateful for your message about the Russian visit, and for your generous expression of confidence.

We expect the Middle East to come up in the course of a general review of world affairs. We propose to take up the Russian thesis that Palestine questions should be handled in the United Nations and see if we cannot get an undertaking from our visitors not to use their veto in the Security Council to block a Resolution identifying the aggressor in the event of trouble. I have not high hopes of getting it, but I am sure you will agree that it is worth going for.

We shall make it very plain that our Middle Eastern oil supplies are a vital interest and that any attempt to deny them to us will create a most dangerous state of tension since the British are not the kind of people to let themselves be quietly strangled. If the Russians suggest four-power consultation about arms for Egypt or Israel, we shall be very cautious and consult you before we give any reply.

I had a word about all this with Winthrop last week.4 We shall, of course, continue to keep in close touch with him throughout the talks, and I know that you and Foster will not hesitate to let us know if anything occurs to you that we could do for our common cause. Yours ever, Anthony.5End Text.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.6141/4–1865. Top Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution—Presidential Handling. Cleared by Goodpaster and approved by Howe who signed for Dulles.↩
  2. Document 246.↩
  3. Telegram 6232, April 18, transmitted the President’s reply; it reads:

    “Dear Anthony: Thank you very much for your cable. I agree with every word you have to say. I am sure that throughout the time of the meeting, Foster and Selwyn Lloyd will find some way of keeping in fairly close touch with each other. As ever, DE.” (Department of State, Central Files, 033.6141/4–1865)

    ↩
  4. See footnote 3, Document 283.↩
  5. The British Chargé, Coulson, sent the original text to the President under cover of a memorandum dated April 18. (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File)↩