141. Message From President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Macmillan1
Dear Harold: Thank you for your note. As I read it, I am impressed by a feeling that we are not far apart in our thinking. Certainly Foster and I have struggled to be fair and have done our utmost to assure the Israeli of the things we would do and the support we would give as soon as they agreed to the major proposition of withdrawal.
Of course any prediction as to the details of future United Nations action is largely guess work. I agree that as of this moment, a simple condemnation of Israel and vote of sanctions would be wrong. I think that a single Resolution could properly combine both withdrawal orders and important assurances to Israel along the lines of my address. But I suspect that things have gone far enough that no Resolution can command the required votes unless it also includes some intimation of consequences to Israel if she refuses to comply.
We are anxious, in this as in all other important matters, that you and ourselves should stand together. I devoutly hope that we can work this one out.
With warm regard,
As ever,
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 974.7301/2–2357. Secret. Transmitted to the Embassy in London in Niact telegram 5876, February 23, 5:04 p.m., which is the source text, with the explanation: “Following letter from President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Macmillan was handed to British Embassy Duty Officer at 4:15 p.m. February 23 for immediate delivery Ambassador. Ambassador asked to transmit following message to Macmillan in reply to his message of February 22.” Telegram 5876 was drafted by Dulles and Mouser.↩
- Telegram 5876 bears these typed initials.↩