261. Report Prepared in the Executive Secretariat of the Department of State1
SUMMARY OF DEVELOPMENTS IN SUEZ SITUATION
Inauguration of SCUA
The UK has invited the 17 other nations who participated in the Second Suez Conference to attend a meeting in London on October 1 to inaugurate the Suez Canal Users’ Association (SCUA). Matters to be dealt with at the meeting would include: 1) determination of the Executive Group; 2) decision on where the headquarters will be; 3) measures for the recruitment of staff, including the Administrator. The British Government stated its understanding that the governments would be represented at the meeting by their Ambassadors, supported by such experts as they might require. We have not yet replied formally to the British invitation.
In this regard, Aldrich reports2 that Lloyd feels it is imperative that SCUA be set up as a functioning entity at the Ambassadors’ meeting; it would be a severe diplomatic defeat if anything less resulted. Embassy London representatives are conferring with British officials today to get their ideas on the October 1 meeting. This is to be followed by a tripartite meeting with the French. It is probable that the representatives of all 18 nations will gather informally on Thursday or Friday to lay out the program of work for the Monday meeting.
Procedural Tactics for UN Meeting
Lodge, in discussing with the UK and French delegates the tactics for tomorrow’s meeting of the Security Council on Suez, learned that they have no knowledge of plans for the future and expect the initiative to be taken by London and Paris.3 Dixon and Cornut–Gentille stated firmly, however, that they wanted their item and the Egyptian item protesting UK and French actions to be completely separate. Dixon said that it might be feasible to allow the Egyptian item to be added to the agenda and then to organize its failure of adoption. The UK plans to suggest adjournment of the Wednesday meeting until next Tuesday before adoption of the [Page 572] agenda so that the British and French Foreign Ministers may attend. According to Lodge, the UK is concerned that someone may suggest at the Wednesday meeting a resolution condemning force. It was agreed that this could be disposed of procedurally, but Lodge recalled that the Secretary had warned them that we might have to vote for such a resolution.
Italian Views
Ambassador Luce reports4 that the Italians approve of the reference of the Suez problem to the Security Council. Martino has agreed with the British Ambassador in Rome that approval by a large Council majority—even if vetoed by the Soviets—would put pressure on Nasser to negotiate on the basis of the 18-nation proposal. Luce also says that the Italians have already indicated their intention to participate in the October 1 Ambassadorial meeting in London.
French Concern over SCUA
Mollet has told Dillon5 that public opinion in France reacted violently to the Second Suez Conference and he had to fight to maintain government unity at a difficult cabinet meeting on Saturday. Mollet said that the French think it is illogical to include in SCUA nations such as Italy which would continue to pay dues to the association authorities. Mollet, with some diffidence, suggested that the President make a public statement that a final solution lay only in some form of international operation in accordance with the suggestions adopted by the 18 powers in August. Dillon favors such a statement or, if this is not possible, statements by the Secretary and other officials emphasizing the provisional aspects of SCUA and reiterating US support for a final settlement along the lines of the 18-power proposals.
Pakistan’s Attitude Towards SCUA
According to Hildreth,6 President Mirza indicated to UK Deputy [Page 573] High Commissioner James on Saturday that he was reluctant to put pressure on Suhrawardy re Pakistan joing SCUA. Embassy London, however, has now been informed7 by a Commonwealth Relations Office official that Mirza has assured James that he would see to it that Pakistan joined. Mirza indicated that he would threaten to resign unless Suhrawardy relented in his negative attitude towards the association.
On Sunday night in London,8 Pakistan Foreign Minister Noon assured Aldrich that on his return to Pakistan he would urge Suhrawardy to join the association. Noon felt that, if continuous pressure was kept on Suhrawardy, Pakistan would ultimately join SCUA.
Bullock, the Australian High Commissioner in Pakistan, told Hildreth9 yesterday that he had delivered to Suhrawardy a personal message from Menzies urging Pakistan to join the association. Suhrawardy told Bullock that he was still open-minded about joining. Bullock noted further that the Prime Minister was very much preoccupied with the legal status of the association under the treaty of 1888 and he thinks that another personal message from Menzies showing how the association is consistent with the treaty would not only please Suhrawardy’s vanity but arouse his legal interest.
The Secretary has sent a personal message to Suhrawardy10 thanking him for the participation of Pakistan at the Second Suez Conference and the cooperation of Foreign Minister Noon. After reviewing essential points about the Association, the Secretary expressed the hope that Pakistan would “continue to strengthen the unity of the 18 nations which have joined together to protect their common interests in the Suez matter.”
(Summary closed 12:15 p.m. September 25, 1956)
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File. Top Secret; Eyes Only for Designated Recipient. Initialed by Eisenhower.↩
- In telegram 1649 from London, September 25, not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, 974.7301/9–2556)↩
- Reported in telegram 245 from USUN, September 24, not printed. (Ibid., 974.7301/9–2456)↩
- In telegram 1328 from Rome, September 25, not printed. (Ibid., 974.7301/9–2556)↩
- Reported in telegram 1408 from Paris, September 24, not printed. (Ibid., 974.7301/9–2456) On September 25, Dulles forwarded to Eisenhower copies of telegrams 1408 and 1413 from Paris (September 25; ibid.), containing Dillon’s recommendation that the President issue a public statement as suggested by Mollet, under cover of a letter containing the text of a proposed statement. (Eisenhower initialed Dulles’ letter; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Dulles–Herter Series) For the transcript of Eisenhower’s press conference of September 27, which does not include the proposed statement, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1956, pp. 806–818.↩
- Reported in telegram 841 from Karachi, September 22, not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, 974.7301/9–2256)↩
- Reported in telegram 1640 from London, September 24, not printed. (Ibid., 974.7301/9–2456)↩
- Reported in telegram 1626 from London, September 24, not printed. (Ibid.)↩
- Reported in telegram 849 from Karachi, September 24, not printed. (Ibid.)↩
- Transmitted to Karachi in telegram 701, September 24. (Ibid., 974.7301/9–2256)↩