541. Memorandum by the Director of the Executive Secretariat (Howe)1

ACTING SECRETARY’S TALK WITH THE PRESIDENT

Wednesday Morning, November 7

Mr. Hoover reported to Messrs. Murphy, Phleger, Elbrick, MacArthur, Rountree, Sohm and Howe the discussions which he had with the President at the White House, in the car to and from the hospital and with the Secretary at the hospital. Part of this will be covered by notes taken by Mr. Macomber at the hospital.2

The President called Eden and postponed the meeting which had been arranged earlier in the day; the President felt that after the UK-French troops had left Egypt, which they were planning to do as soon as possible, it would be useful to get together; meanwhile the President would meet to check with Congressional leaders, etc. The President wanted to have a message sent very promptly to Eden confirming the telephone conversation and generally expressing the idea that, after thorough study on all factors in talking with his advisors, he had concluded that the meeting should be held as soon as possible without being misunderstood elsewhere in the world and that this would need to be after the troops had come out of Egypt. The message should point out that we are anxious not to give the Arabs any excuse to accept assistance, notably volunteers from the Russians.

(Mr. Hoover said that Eden had, in the phone conversation, put a great deal of emphasis on the Russian threat, on NATO involvement, etc.; he had, for instance, said that he (Eden) had information that two unmistakably Russian planes had attacked UK air facilities, presumably in the Suez area.)

Mr. Hoover said that the President had taken up with Eden, and this matter also should be included in the message of confirmation, that it was important to get a combined military and intelligence evaluation of Soviet capabilities, plans and intentions. (Mr. Hoover further reported the view of the President, although it was not clear whether this had been discussed with Eden, that Gruenther should be dispatched promptly to the UK to get their views and then come quickly back here to forestall having a sizeable UK group coming over here immediately. Goodpaster apparently took this Gruenther aspect in hand immediately. The President also thought that it might [Page 1048] be useful, presumably following the Gruenther discussions, to put together a US–UK combined staff to make a collective, and possibly continuing, military and intelligence evaluation of Russian capabilities, plans and intentions, although this joint group should by no means get itself into planning.)

Apparently the President has in mind that the meeting might take place, after withdrawal of all UK-French troops, possibly by the end of next week.

During the discussion with the President alone Secretary Humphrey joined and they discussed Eden’s need and effort to get support in his serious, current troubles and that we could anticipate getting requests for oil and other support elements.

The President expressed the view that it was of critical importance that we get SYG to move ahead as rapidly as possible to get the peace force in position. (Mr. Wilcox was informed by S/S to reemphasize with Presidential backing the Acting Secretary’s previous injunction on Lodge to put pressure in this direction on SYG.)

The President also felt there was a need now to get really tough with the Israelis if they were taking, as reported, the stand on non-withdrawal from Sinai. This should be done as much as possible through the UN but consideration should be given to cutting off remittances or even making contributions taxable. (Mr. Hoover asked Mr. Rountree to call in Eban and lay it on the line.)

Mr. Hoover also expressed concern, reflecting his meeting with the President, that through the UN we make every effort not only to prevent but to be sure to observe, any flow of volunteer personnel from the Orbit3 into nearby Arab States, presumably by invitation.

H
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 774/11–756. Secret.
  2. See infra.
  3. Reference is to the Soviet orbit.