647. Telegram From the Delegation at the North Atlantic Ministerial Meeting to the Department of State1
Secto 6. Talk with Pineau Quai d’Orsay Monday, December 10, lasted two hours, interrupted only by ten minute absence Pineau in order cast vote National Assembly. Pineau expressed generally favorable opinion Wise Men report2 except part relating functions Secretary General which he termed too broad and vague, needing sharper definition. Pleaded for need common policies applying “all four corners world” and including Near and Middle East and Africa. Secretary observed certain areas world such as Far East of which certain members NATO know nothing and in which have no responsibility. Said United States prepared discuss policy but could not undertake make its policies conform necessarily to views others.
Pineau announced desire discuss Middle East and North African topics at present NATO session under item general review. Enumerated fifteen points covering all aspects Middle East problem, and including North Africa and Algeria saying preferred hearing disagreeable things in NATO forum than in UN. Secretary observed would probably hear them in both. Pineau said favored frank discussions these matters even though could not achieve solution. [Page 1292] Pineau laid great stress importance clearing Canal criticizing Hammarskjold for not fulfilling promise that work would start as soon as time-table withdrawal made public.
Stressed importance usage French and British salvage equipment. Secretary agreed everything possible should be done press clearance and no difference views on this point at all. Said Gen. Wheeler Egypt now doing all he could expedite matter. Pineau in favor approach Hammarskjold urge him press for more speed. Pineau raised problem freedom navigation Canal, status French and UK citizens now Egypt, possibility trouble Port Said after withdrawal completed, and role UNEF. Discussion turned to manner further negotiations with Egypt and Pineau suggested United States Suez resolution might be amended to provide for enlarging membership committee to six (possibly Norway, Sweden, Ceylon) with Hammarskjold as chairman. Acknowledged, however, Egypt seemed opposed this procedure and French therefore inclined feel might revert Security Council procedure established in October calling for negotiation with Egypt under auspices Hammarskjold. Some discussion possible formula for financing clearing Canal and role SCUA as means controlling dues payments Nasser, if latter unwilling play fair. Pineau stressed importance preventing Egypt or Syria obtaining further arms from Soviet Union.
Pineau then discussed Nasser and reiterated strong hostility against him. Secretary gave lengthy explanation US position with regard Nasser government and stressed that while we do not love him or want to keep him in power we feel use of force and other strong pressures bound to be counter-productive and calculated strengthen rather than weaken him. Secretary said attempts change foreign governments by direct action apt to have opposite effect, but we believe certain policies will lead Egyptian people feel Nasser not good leader and other Arab states disposed be jealous and afraid of him.
Pineau then discussed Israel and need provide security by replacing armistice by peace treaty. Secretary recalled his proposal August 26, 1955 but pointed out present situation greatly embittered by Israeli military action so that very difficult now bring Arab countries toward acceptance idea peace treaty. Pineau said Israelis want build pipe line from Aqaba to Haifa and interested enlisting private western capital. Said he favored introducing United States resolution Palestine problem but Secretary said we don’t know whether we could obtain two-thirds majority because of Arab opposition.
Pineau stated Lebanon interested becoming neutral country under UN auspices and base for permanent UN force in Middle East. Said this idea broached to French by Chamoun and that they had [Page 1293] informed our Embassy Beirut. Pineau asked United States position Syria. Secretary answered we studying very intensively whole problem United States relationships Middle East area in which United States presence will have to be felt more than in past. United States considering various possibilities but no final conclusions yet reached.
Secretary solicited French views Algerian question. Pineau outlined military situation admitting continuing terrorism and claiming reinforcement Communist action. Outlined various political steps taken by French including agrarian reform and abolition municipal councils. Said French Government not willing consider solution granting independence but will propose at UNGA “new formula” leading to elections with international observers from countries where free elections are held. Pineau said could not commit United States Government position at this stage on basis inadequate specific information.
General atmosphere conversation relaxed and tone Pineau friendly avoiding irritating comments and clearly making conscious effort maintain pleasant atmosphere.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 786.00/12–1156. Secret; Limited Distribution. Received at 10:05 p.m., December 10. Repeated to USUN, London, and Cairo. For a memorandum of the conversation recorded here, see Document 644.↩
- Reference is to the report of a Committee of Three concerning non-military cooperation in NATO, presented to the Ministerial Meeting at Paris.↩