Office of the Historian

150. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between Secretary of State Dulles in Washington and Secretary-General Hammarskjöld in New York, February 25, 1957, 5:48 p.m.1

Washington, February 25, 1957, 5:48 p.m.

TELEPHONE CALL TO MR. HAMMARSKJOLD

The Sec said he talked to Eban—he tells him he is not asking for any relinquishment of rights or a de jure situation by Egypt but what he regards as a practical assurance that there will be some kind of an occupancy by the UNEF—some kind of a UN adm so that the situation will not revert to what it was. H said that is not what he said and H referred to BG’s statement.2 The Sec said he does not wonder at their saying it—that is a good slogan. You can’t give him assurances and the Sec thinks he has to take a practical likelihood conditions will not revert. H said if he could accept our statement at face value. The Sec said it seems to him H should try to get him to accept that coupled with a statement if it did not work out that way Israel would reserve their rights so they would not be any worse off. We are getting out in expectation of these things happening and if not, we reserve our rights. They would not have lost much by getting out. H agreed. The Sec said it has become political in Israel—H said BG’s statement does not help. The Sec said he thinks BG can’t get what he wants exactly— he can get practical assurance. We gamble and if it does not work out take a fresh view and exercise their rights. H will see what he can do.

  1. Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations. Transcribed by Bernau.↩
  2. Reference is to Ben Gurion’s address to the Knesset on February 21. See telegram 996, Document 132.↩