331. Editorial Note
On May 19, Ambassador Alphand indicated to Secretary Dulles in Washington that Foreign Minister Pineau, scheduled to arrive in New York the following day, might be willing to forego submitting a resolution on the Suez matter to the Security Council, if the United States could issue a statement somewhat stronger than the one Lodge delivered on April 26. (Telegram 887 to USUN, May 19; Department of State, Central Files, 974.7301/5–1957) For text of Lodge’s statement of April 26, see United States Policy in the Middle East, September 1956–June 1957, pages 390–392.
The following day in New York, Pineau expressed to Lodge a desire to extend the Security Council sessions through May 22 and noted that if a suitable formula could be found, it could be substituted for a resolution. Lodge then suggested the consensus procedure and Pineau indicated that Lodge’s summary should include reference to questions concerning the execution of provisions in the U.N. Charter, compensation, arbitration procedures, compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ, and how the unilateral Egyptian Declaration was to be made multilateral. (Telegram 952 from USUN, May 20; ibid., 974.7301/5–2057)
On May 21 in Washington, Secretary Dulles reconfirmed to Pineau Lodge’s promise that the summation statement would be made available to Pineau prior to delivery, and Pineau expressed his willingness to let proceedings conclude that afternoon. (Memorandum of conversation by Elbrick, May 21; ibid., 974.7301/5-2157) That same day in Paris the Mollet government fell from power.
The Suez Canal question was discussed at the 778th and 779th meetings of the Security Council on May 20-21. (U.N. docs. S/PV.778 and S/PV.779) For text of the two statements made by Lodge on May 21, see Department of State Bulletin, June 17, 1957, pages 987-989. Lodge concluded by acknowledging that the Security Council would remain seized of the question.