301. Editorial Note
On April 25, in preparation for the Security Council debate on the Suez Canal question scheduled for the following day, the Department of State instructed the Mission at the United Nations to consult with British representatives in New York along the following lines:
“1. We hope it will be possible complete SC consideration Suez question with one or two meetings. Our objective is have SC members take note situation re passage through Suez Canal by brief statements in SC at conclusion which SC would remain seized question.
“2. Suggest you arrange with SC President that agenda be adopted without discussion on assumption other Council members would be willing go along this procedure.
[Page 571]“3. Assuming agenda adopted without difficulty, we believe US should open discussion to set appropriate framework. We assume you will in your consultations indicate approach we intend take so that other friendly Dels may if they wish express similar views in Council.” (Telegram 830 to USUN, April 25; Department of State, Central Files, 974.7301/4–2557)
In regard to the possibility that Israel might seek to interject itself into the discussion, the Department of State advised its Mission in New York:
“We expect Israelis to request hearing before SC. In order not prolong SC consideration Suez question, we would prefer Israelis submit letter to SC containing their views. However if in your consultations you find Israelis insist on being heard, you authorized support their request on understanding that Israelis would make very brief statement toward end SC consideration this matter.
“Israelis have also asked that US uphold their right of passage through Canal in our statement in SC. We are informing them here US statement very brief and does not go into details of Egyptian declaration. However we are confident that in Ambassador Lodge’s statement Israel’s interests in right of transit through Suez Canal will be adequately cared for.” (Telegram 831 to USUN, April 25; ibid.)
Also on April 25, the Department of State transmitted to USUN the text of a statement which Lodge was to deliver before the Council. (Telegram 830 to USUN, April 25; ibid.) These instructions were drafted in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs and approved for transmission by Wilcox.
At 9:27 a.m. on April 26, Lodge telephoned Dulles to request that the text of the draft statement be revised so as to leave no doubt that the United States considered its statement to be provisional and reserved the right to express itself further on the matter in the future. Dulles approved the change. (Memorandum of telephone conversation by Bernau, 9:27 a.m., April 26; Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations)