116. Editorial Note

At the seventh plenary session which convened at 2:45 p.m. on August 22, Spanish Foreign Minister Artajo modified his previous decision and announced that Spain would support the plan to submit the Five-Nation Proposal to Egypt as a basis for negotiations. Artajo also requested that, if agreement was not reached with Egypt on the basis of this proposal, negotiations proceed on the basis of the Spanish proposal made the previous day. (See Document 110) The United States Delegation prepared summary accounts of this two-part meeting, which were transmitted to the Department of State in Sectos 37 and 38 from London, August 22. (Department of [Page 260] State, Central Files, 974.7301/8–2256) The text of Artajo’s statement is in Secto 35 from London, August 22. (Ibid.)

Dulles had met with the ranking Spanish Representative at the Conference, the Marquis de Santa Cruz de Inguanzo, at 10:20 a.m. on August 22. The memorandum of that conversation reads in part: “The Secretary said to the Marquis of Santa Cruz that it would certainly come as a shock and surprise to American public opinion if, in the final count, Spain sided with the Soviet Union, India and the other two countries which had followed the Communist line, instead of with the United States and other powers. Spain had always been considered hitherto a strong pillar of anti-communism and such a development would undoubtedly produce an unfavorable impression on the Congress of the United States, which had frequently had the occasion to manifest its confidence in Spain. The Secretary said that our two countries had enjoyed close and friendly relations. He added that the United States had been making efforts and that it was our hope that Spain would one day become a member of NATO. It would be difficult for us to be persuasive in Spain’s behalf in this direction, if she were to part with us and the other countries on the present issue.” The memorandum of conversation records that later in the discussion Santa Cruz said that he had “good hope” that he would be able to work out a formula, which both Secretary Dulles and Foreign Minister Artajo could accept. (Ibid., Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 758)

A memorandum for the record, drafted by Tyler on August 22, indicates that following the meeting with Dulles, Santa Cruz prepared a text of a statement for Artajo which was shown to Dulles shortly before the seventh plenary session convened. Dulles approved it, but when Artajo arrived, the Spaniard rejected the statement. Consequently, Santa Cruz presented another draft text, which was acceptable to Dulles. Artajo asked through intermediaries that Dulles speak with him during the recess, but the Secretary sent back word that Artajo should make his statement before the recess. Artajo hesitated but finally managed to catch the eye of the Chairman just as he was about to adjourn and read his statement. (Ibid., Central Files, 396.1–LO/8–1456)