343. Message From President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Macmillan1

Dear Harold: Our initial position at Geneva has been the same as your own—to support the three-mile limit without qualification, until it becomes clear that it will not be accepted.

While we are fully appreciative of the difficult decision that is to be made at Geneva, we are convinced that unless we are prepared to give vigorous support to a compromise proposal enlarging the coastal states’ rights over nearby fisheries, we probably will not be able to halt the mounting momentum for Conference approval of a twelve-mile territorial sea. We are also convinced that fishery conservation measures alone will not solve the problem. Some concession in the nature of a special rights fishery zone for the coastal states is necessary and a nine-mile zone is the minimum likely to gain acceptance. This is the Canadian compromise proposal.

I am impressed by the statement in your message about the timing of the different steps that may become necessary during the proceedings of the Conference. My own feeling is, based upon the urgent advice of the United States delegation, that we have now reached the stage where inflexibility can damage us.

It seems to me, therefore, that within the next few days we shall be faced with the choice between three miles of sovereignty plus nine additional miles of fisheries control, or Conference approval of a twelve-mile limit which we find wholly inadequate for strategic reasons.

You should also note that the Canadian compromise proposal involves control over a contiguous fisheries zone by the coastal state, and does not necessarily involve the exclusion of all other nations. In Latin and South American waters, our fishing interests, as a modus vivendi, have negotiated licenses which permit them to fish without molestation within coastal areas claimed by those states and even up to the shore. If the Canadian compromise proposal is adopted and your government so desires, the United States would be prepared to [Page 659] exert its good offices in an effort to assist the United Kingdom to obtain similar arrangements in areas of concern to your government.

With warm regard,

As ever,

Ike E.2
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 399.731/3–1458. Confidential; Priority; Presidential Handling. Transmitted in telegram 6517 to London, which is the source text, for delivery to Macmillan. On March 13, Becker had drafted a reply which included paragraphs 1, 2, 4, and 5. The third paragraph was inserted at the President’s request. (Memorandum for the President, March 13, with attached draft; ibid., 399.731/3–1358)
  2. Telegram 6517 bears this typed signature.