487. Telegram From the Embassy in Canada to the Department of State1
40. Eyes only for the Secretary. Reference Deptels 33 and 34.2 I talked to Pearson afternoon July 23 and he is now reasonably optimistic over possibility securing Prime Minister’s approval to prompt release of 12 F86s on basis of and dependent on series of US actions contemplated in Deptel 33. He wants to talk to St. Laurent within 24 hours and believes if he can convince him, there will be no difficulty with Cabinet later this week. He would thereafter hope to announce in Parliament next week immediate release 12 and tell Israel Government would consider later release additional 12. He understands and accepts that US would not publicly announce granting of arms export licenses but relies on US journalistic enterprise to discover and publish. He now agrees multipartite ambassadorial consultation would be unwise and after talking to Prime Minister, would be prepared to send expert to Washington at any time in company of Ignatieff as cover. Latter is due visit Washington shortly on NATO Wisemen operation.
For his talk with St. Laurent Pearson has asked me to provide him with top secret personal note summarizing main points. I think it important I should do so and next following telegram contains draft3 which I will deliver pending approval of text which I hope I can have telephonically Tuesday morning. Pearson is fully cognizant [Page 881] importance secrecy regarding Operation Stockpile though thinks it will ultimately leak, including character its contents.