176. Letter From President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Macmillan1
Dear Harold: I am most appreciative of your understanding letter of September 15. I have thought over the important questions you raise and discussed them at some length with Chris and Lord Home yesterday.2
As you say it is difficult to determine specific tactics until we see how Khrushchev proposes to act and also until we are able to assess the atmosphere at the General Assembly. I am convinced that it is essential for our two delegations to concert closely and to be prepared to move very quickly. Although it seems preferable to defer any public [Page 341] announcement or firm decision on timing for the moment, I now believe your attendance at the General Assembly would be a real service to the West. I am impressed also by the desirability, in the meantime, of having some outstanding Western leader answer Khrushchev and his satellites relatively early in the proceedings. Mr. Menzies would be superb in such a role and I hope you might be able to persuade him to attend, preferably at an early date. I realize the problems you would face should Khrushchev request a meeting with you in New York. His behavior in New York may prove the best guide to your answer.
With warm regard,
As ever,
- Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 59, Conference Files: FRC 83–0068, CF 1768. Secret; Presidential Handling. The text of the letter was transmitted to London in telegram 1844, which is the source text. Telegram 1844 was repeated to Herter at the USUN.↩
- A copy of Macmillan’s letter to the President is in Department of State, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 66 D 204. Regarding Eisenhower’s conversation with Herter and Home, see Document 174.↩
- Telegram 1844 bears this typed signature.↩