Office of the Historian

361. Memorandum for the Record, by Roger Kirk of the Executive Secretariat’s Reports and Operations Staff1

Washington, May 28, 1956.

SUBJECT

  • Meeting on the Middle East with Secretary on May 23, 19562

The Secretary approved, in substance, a telegram to Cairo, Khartoum, Addis Ababa and London requesting comments from the addressees on the feasibility of inducing Sudan or Ethiopia to call a conference of riparian states to discuss the unified development of the Nile Basin before additional major works utilizing the Nile waters are undertaken. (Deptel 226 to Khartoum sent 5/25/563)

The Secretary approved, in substance, a telegram to Cairo authorizing further discussions on the Aswan Dam, but without committing us to proceed with the project at this time. (Deptel 2815 to Cairo sent 5/25/564)

The Secretary approved a visit to Egypt for discussions with Nasser by a special emissary provided the emissary was ostensibly merely passing through Cairo.5

  1. Source: Department of State, S/S–NEA Files: Lot 16 D 417, Omega #6. Top Secret; Omega. The date is the drafting date. Cleared with MacArthur and Rountree and distributed to Murphy, MacArthur, and Rountree.↩
  2. According to Secretary Dulles’ Appointment Book, this meeting began at 3:35 p.m. In addition to the Secretary, Hoover, MacArthur, Bowie, Rountree, Hare, Russell, Roosevelt, Wilkins, and Burdett attended. (Princeton University Library, Dulles Papers) A summary record of the meeting is in Department of State, NEA Files: Lot 59 D 518, Omega—Egypt—Dam, Misc. 1956.↩
  3. Infra.↩
  4. Document 365.↩
  5. See Document 381.↩