545. Message From President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Eden 1
Dear Anthony : I want you to know that I welcome the suggestion you made in our telephone conversation today regarding early consultation on many of our mutual problems, and that I agree we should meet at an early date. Now that the election is over, I find it most necessary to consult urgently the leaders of both Houses of the Congress. As you can understand, it will take some days to accomplish this. Furthermore, after a thorough study of all the factors and after talking to various branches of the government here, I feel that while such a meeting should take place quickly, we must be sure that its purpose and aims are not misunderstood in other countries. This would be the case if the UN Resolution had not yet been carried out.
I am heartened by the news that there is a cease-fire in Egypt and sincerely hope that the UN Force will promptly begin its work and that the Anglo-French Forces will be withdrawn from Egypt without delay. Once these things are done, the ground will be favorable for our meeting. I would hope that this would permit us to meet here by the end of next week. As I suggested by telephone I would hope that Al Gruenther might meet with you or your people shortly to get your evaluation of the matter you mentioned to me this morning.
With warm regard,
As ever,
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Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/11–756. Secret. Transmitted to London in telegram 3318, November 7, 2:58 p.m, which is the source text, with the instruction: “Please deliver soonest following message from President to Eden. Confirm date and time delivery.” Telegram 3318 also informed the Embassy that the Department would elaborate further on the Gruenther mission in a subsequent message. Telegram 2573 from London, November 7, reported that the message was delivered at 11:15 p.m. to Eden’s secretary. (Ibid., 711.11–EI/11–756)
A similar message was transmitted to Paris in telegram 1725, November 7, for delivery to Mollet. (Ibid., 320.5774/11–756)
↩ - Telegram 3318 bears this typed signature.↩