503. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State 1
1074. Shepilov this afternoon handed me a letter signed by Bulganin addressed to the President, suggesting in essence that US and Soviet Union should join its forces within the framework of the UN to bring about a halt to the aggression against Egypt. Shepilov, in handing me the communication, full translation of which will be in immediately following telegram,2 stated that although the UN had shown activity the last week, the war still went on in Egypt and if the US and the Soviet Union could join together they could within the framework of the UN bring a halt to this aggression and restore peace in the Middle East.
I asked Mr. Shepilov what he meant by “within the framework of the UN”, and he replied that any decisions would be taken within its framework and he had sent, as indicated in the letter, similar communications to Hammarskjold and the President Security Council.3 I asked him if Soviet Government was seriously suggesting that the US should use armed force against England and France. He replied that was not being proposed and would not be necessary if the US and USSR would make plain their “determination” to see the fighting come to a halt in the Middle East. I told him I could not comment on so serious a matter but would send the proposal immediately to the President.
Although I did not raise with him question publication, in view recent background that question, since he has sent communications to UN I assume publication will take place very shortly.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/11–556. Secret; Niact; Presidential Handling. Received at 12:28 p.m. a copy is in the Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Dulles–Herter Series.↩
- For text of Bulganin’s letter, see Document 505.↩
- See the editorial note, infra .↩