Office of the Historian

386. Telegram From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Department of State1

London, October 27, 1956—noon.

2317. Eyes only for Secretary. Concern along line your telegram 30092 has underlain my efforts obtain maximum available information re developments Middle East, SCUA and Egypt. Results of which reflected in my telegram 2295.3 Same thought prompted my arranging private dinner with Lloyd tomorrow evening when I intend pursue these matters exhaustively. In conversation with him this morning he confirmed HMG’s present attitude re Suez situation as reported my telegram 2295, adding that British have given Hammarskjold comments on his latest suggestion re negotiations and have emphasized that they desire definite Egyptian statement accepting SCUA. Possibly noteworthy as explanation absence recent developments at least re SCUA was Lloyd’s remark that he has avoided pressing question payment Canal tolls pending further developments on negotiations with Egyptians which at the moment are primarily in the hands of Hammarskjold. I did not have opportunity today to discuss other matters referred to in reference telegram.

Aldrich
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/10–2756. Top Secret; Priority. Received at 9:58 a.m.↩
  2. Document 384.↩
  3. Supra.↩