Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Suez Crisis, July 26–December 31, 1956, Volume XVI

450. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the Secretary of State in Washington and the Representative at the United Nations (Lodge) in New York, October 31, 1956, 5:13 p.m.¹

New York, October 31, 1956, 5:13 p.m.

TELEPHONE CALL FROM AMB. LODGE

L. said they have a 30-minute recess.² The Russians agreed not to put in their condemnation resolution on the understanding the Yugoslavs would put theirs in for a special session of the GA. We think there are 6 votes for one—the Chinese³ will be the 7th but he wants to call Taipei and we think we can get it. L. said the weight of evidence is in favor of voting tonight. The Sec. asked when it⁴ would be held? L. said not determined—in a day or two. The Sec. thinks tomorrow is premature. You have to get ready for these things. L. asked re Friday.⁵ The Sec. asked the view of the Br and Fr and L. said they want to put everything off—maybe to get their govts to change their policy. Both agreed that was ridiculous. L. said it is desirable to prevent the Russian res of condemnation. He doubts we can hold them until tomorrow. The Sec. asked if the Br and Fr know, and L. said yes and he has been able to make a little gratitude because they know he got them to withdraw. The Sec. asked if they will violently attack us if we vote and L. said he did not think so. D.⁶ told him he would attack us if there were a res of condemnation. He is so emotional and … . Randolph Churchill is hanging around so the atmosphere is jumpy. The Sec. said to go ahead and vote for it but he would not have the meeting before Friday. L. said he just had a note handed to him that the Yugoslav said the USSR will insist if the Yugoslav res is not voted today on putting theirs in. L. will do. They discussed the Pres of the GA. The Sec. said if you have to elect one, Wan would probably be good as he is here. L. agreed. The Sec. said we have to think what we are going to do—we want to keep on top of it a bit. L. said in the GA the action on Israel can be considered so it takes some of the focus off the Br and Fr. The Sec. said he does not know how much we want to do it Friday. L. agreed. The Sec. said to gain as much time as he can. He thinks you need 24 hours’ notice. L. will check. The Sec. said it will be chaos—there are 20 new members who don’t know how you do things in the GA and a lot don’t have reps there.⁷

1. Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations. Transcribed by Bernau.
2. The Security Council convened at 3 p.m. that day to continue its discussion of the Egyptian letter accusing Great Britain and France of an act of aggression. After some discussion, Yugoslav Representative Brilej submitted a draft resolution which called for an emergency special session of the General Assembly. The Security Council then recessed for a half hour so that the members could examine the text. (U.N. doc. S/PV.751)
3. Chinese Representative Tingfu F. Tsiang.
4. The emergency special session of the General Assembly.
5. November 2.
6. British Representative Dixon.
7. After the Security Council meeting resumed, the British Representative moved that the Yugoslav draft resolution was out of order. The motion was defeated by a vote of six (including the United States) opposed, four in favor, and one abstention. The Yugoslav draft resolution was then brought to a vote and adopted, with seven (including the United States) in favor, two (Great Britain and France) opposed, and one abstention. (U.N. doc. S/PV.751)