13. Editorial Note
On July 27 Canadian Foreign Minister Lester Pearson informed Ambassador Livingston Merchant that Canada would announce its decision to grant to Israel export permits for 12 F–86’s and to consider an Israeli request for 12 additional jets. This would be done as soon as the fact became public that the United States was granting to Israel export licenses for helicopters and scout cars. Merchant reminded Pearson that the United States wished to avoid all publicity, but Pearson insisted that the U.S. action must be mentioned when the Canadian decision was reported to Parliament. Pearson added that eventual release of the second dozen jets would be virtually automatic and that he intended to inform Israeli Ambassador Michael Comay in confidence about this decision. (Telegram 57 from Ottawa, July 27; Department of State, Central Files, 784A.5622/7–2756) The Department of State responded in telegram 42 to Ottawa, July 27, that the Suez Canal situation “renders it [Page 24] inadvisable this juncture implement plan outlined Embtel 57. Particularly coming at this time, public knowledge that US shipping significant military items Israel would add fuel to intensified Egyptian propaganda that recent US action in Egypt result of pro-Israel and anti-Arab policies. Shipments by US and Canada might be assumed widely to be in retaliation for nationalization Suez Canal and indicative open support for Israel in its dispute with Arab states. Settlement Suez issue would then become more difficult.” Telegram 42 also expressed the hope that the Canadians would defer action on the F–86’s and it instructed Merchant to ask Pearson not to inform the Israeli Ambassador of the Canadian decision, if Pearson had not already done so. (Ibid.) At the same time the Department cabled Ambassador Dillon: “We urge French reconsider their proposal deliver 24 additional Mysteres Israel at this time. Announcement as proposed by French would add to Arab claim recent actions of West including Aswan Dam decision motivated by pro-Israel policies, and would further complicate settlement of grave Suez Canal problem. Until situation clarifies and other elements possible Western measures re Egypt determined, believe it wise delay decision re further significant arms shipments to Israel. You requested approach French along these lines.” (Telegram 382 to Paris, July 27; ibid.)