500. Memorandum of a Conference With the President, White House, Washington, November 5, 1956, 10:20 a.m.1
OTHERS PRESENT
- Vice President Nixon
- Secretary Hoover
- Mr. Phleger
- Mr. Hagerty
- Colonel Goodpaster
The President asked what were the differences between the “Afro-Asian” and “Canadian” plans regarding the Middle East made in the United Nations.2 Mr. Phleger said that although they differ they are not inconsistent, and that both had been adopted. The reference was to the Indian and Canadian plans. Last night Hammarskjold reported that he had sent messages under the Indian plan to Britain and France, without reply as yet. He said the Norwegians, with support of others, had put in a follow-up resolution to establish a command which would exercise the police function in the Middle Eastern war areas. He understood that Canada, Colombia, Norway and India had agreed to put in forces. He said there was some indication that Eden now wants to join in with the other free nations to settle this matter. The President mentioned his two letters from Eden,3 received during last night, and said he would try to [Page 987] prepare a reply to Eden endeavoring to bring him into an acceptable position in this matter.
Mr. Hoover pointed out that our position is completely free with regard to the UN action now that the French and the British have in fact invaded. The President said he thought we should stick with the plan as developed thus far in spite of the UK and French landings.
Mr. Hoover reported that he had called Secretaries Robertson and Wilson with a request that military planning be started on how to move in the UN troops. The President indicated he was especially interested in getting the Colombians (and any other Latin Americans who might contribute) quickly into position.
Mr. Hoover showed the President a brief paper setting out the essentials of the policy we are following,4 and the President said it looked excellent to him.
Mr. Hoover reported he had learned that Pearson had called Eden and told him that he has no support and will have none from Canada in this matter. Mr. Nixon said it was too bad that Bevan is allowed to make political capital out of supporting the same position we hold, since any swing to that school of thought would be tragic for us. Mr. Hoover said we must be careful not to appear to condone what the French and British have done. He reported information he had received to the effect that the British and French plan to make landings in Alexandria as well as the Canal zone. I mentioned the question of whether the French might be trying to widen and worsen the conflict for their own ends, which may now begin to depart from those of the British. The group indicated considerable concern over any possible landing in the Alexandria area, as drawing the British and French forces into a long struggle. The President said he would try to write up a message for Eden to try to influence him against any such action.
Mr. Hoover expressed his great concern over the situation in Syria, and the possibility of the USSR sending forces, volunteer or other, into Syria. The President said he understood the airfields in Syria were very poor. The President said that it will be very important to keep a close watch on the Syrian airfields and asked that Mr. Allen Dulles give special attention to this matter.
Mr. Hoover said that oil supplies from the Middle East are now largely cut off—only the tap line from Saudi Arabia remains in operation. The oil supply of NATO military forces in Western Europe may soon be endangered.
[Page 988]The President suggested we should put heavy tankers and oilers into use immediately, including all fleet oilers, and any used for non-military purposes should be on the basis of reasonable charges and rates. With regard to the oil problem faced by the French and the British, the President felt that the purposes of peace and stability would be served by not being too quick in attempting to render extraordinary assistance, and the Vice President reinforced this view. The President asked that ODM and Mr. Hoover work out arrangements for the Navy to help out in the over-all situation with its oilers.
[Here follows the remainder of the conversation pertaining predominantly to the Hungarian situation.]
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Eisenhower Diaries. Top Secret. Drafted by Goodpaster.↩
- Reference is to General Assembly Resolutions 998 (ES–I) and 999 (ES–I), respectively. For texts, see Document 485.↩
- Document 495 and supra.↩
- Not attached to the source text and not found in Department of State files or the Eisenhower Library.↩