442. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the Vice President in Detroit and the Secretary of State in Washington, October 31, 1956, 8:35 a.m.1

TELEPHONE CALL FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT IN DETROIT

N[ixon] just wanted a report. The Sec. said no report so far of any landings but the Sec. doubts that means they have called it off. UN action pretty much out the window. N. wants to hit it. The Sec. said he would not play up Israel particularly as he thinks they have been used.2 N. asked what is wrong condemning the Br. and Fr.— the Sec. said nothing particularly if in moderation. The Sec. read from the ultimatum—they have not much to stand on. N. urged strongly against calling Congress back—the Sec. said they were not planning to. The Sec. said we will probably suspend our major economic aid plans to Israel as long as they are still in Egypt. N. said it is power politics etc. The Sec. said two things are important from the standpoint of history—it is the beginning of the collapse of the Soviet Empire—the second is the idea is out that we can be dragged along at the heels of Br and Fr in policies that are obsolete. This is a declaration of independence for the first time that they cannot count upon us to engage in policies of this sort. N. asked can it be said our policies are designed to protect the independence of small countries but is is also designed to keep American boys from being involved. The Sec. does not see any prospect of becoming involved. N. said the Pres. and the Sec. should get across we are being independent. N. said the papers there indicate we are to blame. The Sec. said he would emphasize the fact these associations have their ups and downs but to be healthy however a nation has to be free when basic principles are involved. It would have been catastrophic for the UN if we had not done it. However, we are of the same civilization— same beliefs etc.

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The Sec. said he thinks the Pres. will cancel Philadelphia and will probably make a radio-TV talk tomorrow night. The Sec. does not know re Boston.

N. asked how the Sec. analyzed it politically, and the Sec. said N. is the expert. N. said we will lose some Israeli votes but they agreed they said there weren’t many. N. said our policy is still one that has kept American boys out and at such a time you don’t want a pipsqueak for Pres. The Sec. said how wonderful the Pres. has been—he has said throughout he wants to do what is right regardless of the election—he will not sacrifice foreign policy for political expediency.

  1. Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations. Transcribed by Bernau.
  2. Immediately prior to the 4 p.m. session of the Security Council on October 30, Dulles telephoned Lodge and told him, among other points, not to mention Israel too much in the discussion, as it had been made a “cat’s paw”. (Memorandum of telephone conversation, 3:56 p.m., October 30; ibid.)