Office of the Historian

480. Telegram From the Embassy in Canada to the Department of State1

Ottawa, July 19, 1956—4 p.m.

31. For the Secretary. I talked at length today to Pearson on F86s, employing points contained in Deptel 242 and information you communicated to me on telephone re possibility stock-pile statement within 10 days.3 At conclusion Pearson indicated more optimism than he has yet displayed that delivery F86s might be worked out. He has asked that I furnish him memorandum recapitulating points made in talk today for his use in Cabinet next week.

Following carefully timed actions by us seem to me required to exert necessary influence on Cabinet for favorable F86 decision:

(1)
Communicate to Canadians general content statement on F86 stockpile and reasonably precise indication date it would be issued. (Incidentally, Pearson said that he had not revealed to Prime Minister or Cabinet what you told him of possible F86 stock-pile since he felt you told him in extreme confidence.4)
(2)
US approval and announcement export licensing at least some helicopters, machine guns and scout cars.5
(3)
Substantial acceptance Canadian suggestion (Embtel 226) that Canadian, UK and French Ambassadors meet with Department officials in Washington on confidentially coordinated supply actions to Israel. This would supply minor face-saver for Cabinet. Pearson, however, suggested today that he thought situation would be met for him to send high External Affairs official to Washington next week for a day or two of talks with Department. He also suggested that I might usefully accompany him, though this does not seem to [Page 875] be essential. He accepted undesirability any outward appearance western bloc supply program for Israel but emphasized importance independent but confidentially concerted press announcements of any agreed US deliveries and if possible British Meteors so that Canada would not be left out alone too long.

I believe we now have makings of a successful operation. Incidentally, Winnipeg Free Press, which has considerable influence, came out Saturday in favor of Canadian delivery F86s to Israel.

Merchant
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 784A.5622/7–1956. Secret; Priority; Limited Distribution. Received at 4:41 p.m.↩
  2. Document 471.↩
  3. No record of this conversation has been found in Department of State files.↩
  4. See Document 325.↩
  5. Telegram 32 from Ottawa, July 20, stressed the importance to Canadian officials of U.S. export licensing of these items. (Department of State, Central Files, 784A.5622/7–2056)↩
  6. Document 458.↩