220. Letter From Prime Minister Eden to President Eisenhower 1
Dear Mr. President: I should so much welcome a chance to talk to you again. On the other hand, I do not want to be an importunate visitor. I have therefore been wondering whether it might be acceptable to you if I was to propose myself for a brief visit to the United States at some date convenient to you in the second half of January. The main purpose would be to talk over the world scene together. I would not suppose that anything in the nature of an official agenda would be necessary. I do however attach importance to our having a talk together well in advance of the visit of the two Russians here in April. We should show the world that we are in full agreement and that nothing can divide us before they descend upon us.
I would hope that Harold 2 could come with me, and I should much look forward to seeing FOSTER again.
Please do not hesitate to let me know exactly how you feel about all this. Of course I would not want to make any suggestion that could put any strain upon your health.
Kindest regards,
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File. Top Secret; Personal. Enclosed in a letter from Ambassador Makins to the President, November 23. In a June 21 memorandum to Ann C. Whitman, John W. Hanes, Jr., noted that the President did not formally reply to Eden. (Ibid., Dulles–Herter Series) Dulles told Makins on November 30 that the President “would be happy to receive Sir Anthony.” (Memorandum of conversation, November 30; Department of State, Central Files, 033.4111/11–3055)↩
- Harold Macmillan.↩
- Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩