42. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at the United Nations1
Gadel 121. For Ambassador Lodge from the Secretary. Please deliver following to SYG from Secretary.
Quite understand why owing to GA Plenary Session Monday it is not possible for you to receive Ambassador Lodge and Legal Adviser Phleger to discuss progress of Suez Canal settlement. Because of urgency of matter I therefore take this opportunity to convey my views.
- 1.
It is of the utmost importance to Egypt and to all users of the Canal that the Canal be opened at the earliest moment. I understand that rapid progress is being made in physical aspect of this, in which the UN is assisting the Government of Egypt at its request. The US has joined with other members of the UN in advancing funds for this purpose.
These may be deemed appropriate implementations of the resolution of the GA of November 2, 1956 which urged that “upon the cease-fire being effective, steps be taken to reopen the Suez Canal and restore and secure freedom of navigation.”
- 2.
I understand that it is estimated that the Canal will be open for navigation by ships of 25 ft. draft about March 1 or earlier, and for vessels of maximum draft by early May.
This makes it of extreme importance that there be effected at the earliest moment agreements to implement the six requirements which the Security Council with the concurrence of Egypt unanimously agreed on October 13, 1956 should be met in any settlement of the Suez problem.
- 3.
In view of the anticipated early opening of the Canal, contemplating partial traffic while the work of clearing is still in progress, there should also be arrangements which would include, in addition to the implementation of the six requirements, arrangements for priorities as necessary and appropriate, assumption of risks by transiting vessels, provision for additional funds for clearance, new equipment and rehabilitation, repayment of funds advanced, and other pertinent matters including the matter of tolls.
This indicates the desirability of arrangements covering financial matters which would insure that the necessary funds would in fact be made available for all requirements. Consultation with the International Bank on these and other fiscal aspects seems appropriate.
- 4.
You will recall that on November 3, 1956 the US tabled a resolution in the GA. This resolution, after noting the SC resolution of October 13, 1956 adopting the six principles, and recognizing that the situation calls for a permanent solution consistent with the principles of justice and international law, the sovereignty of Egypt and the rights of international users of the Suez Canal as guaranteed by the Treaty of 1888, called for the appointment of a committee to assist in achieving this objective.
This resolution has not been pressed because of the progress that had been made toward such a solution in discussion between yourself, the representatives of Egypt, France and the UK, as reported by you to the Security Council on October 13, 1956 and in your communication to the members of the Security Council of November 3, 1956 quoting your letter of October 24, 1956 to Foreign Minister Fawzi and his reply of November 2, 1956 and our feeling that perhaps this same procedure might best produce the desired results. We understand that recently you have continued your informal discussions with Foreign Minister Fawzi to that end.
- 5.
- We consider it most important that these discussions proceed at the earliest moment for the purpose of arriving at a just solution taking account of the progress already made. It is our thought that your discussions might well follow the general pattern which was being followed in October and which involved consultation with representatives of the UK and France, who expressed the interests of the users. Thereafter, broader consultation can be had with a larger representation of the users looking to a formal and permanent arrangement.
- 6.
- We wish to be helpful and will hold ourselves available to assist as you may think desirable. We cannot overemphasize our view of the necessity of rapid progress so that agreement can be reached before the Canal is reopened.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 974.7301/1–2857. Official Use Only; Niact. Approved by Greene who signed for Dulles.↩