Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Volume III, National Security Policy; Arms Control and Disarmament, Microfiche Supplement

377. Message From Macmillan to Eisenhower¹

London, August 21, 1958

My dear Friend,

I have written directly to Foster about the text and timing of your proposed announcement. But I want, in addition, to reply to your personal message of yesterday.

First, on the technical matters, may I say at once that I am very glad to have your assurance that you can and will give us the information needed, including the two points to which I referred specifically. I am completely satisfied with that assurance and most grateful to you for it. I have never for one moment doubted the sincerity of your desire to help us to play an effective part in maintaining the nuclear deterrent, on which the peace of the world at present depends. But this business has had a long and chequered history, and I know you will understand my anxiety that there should be no possible room for misunderstanding between us at this last stage. As I told you in my message of yesterday, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility over this, and I thought it was my duty to make sure that there was clear and explicit understanding between us. I am greatly relieved by what you have now said to me.

I am sending you a separate message about the political question as a whole.

With warm regards,

As ever,

(Sgd.) Harold Macmillan

1. Source: Statement on suspension of nuclear testing. No classification marking. 2 pp. NARA, RG 59, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 66 D 204, Macmillan to Eisenhower.