Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1957, Volume XVII

312. Telegram From the Department of State to the Secretary of State, at Bonn¹

Washington, May 3, 1957—12:23 a.m.

Tedul 6. For Secretary from Acting Secretary.

1. As indicated Tosec 13² we are somewhat handicapped by uncertainty several aspects your May 1 talk with Lloyd. We do, however, strongly share doubts you expressed to Lloyd (Secto 4³ and Dulte 3⁴) re another SC meeting. We have no reason believe Egypt would react reasonably to question UK wishes ask and fail to see how negative Egyptian reply or lack of reply could help UK accommodate itself to present situation as it may well be bound to do. Moreover, we are inclined to believe knowledge UK intention request further SC consideration likely hinder rather than help in obtaining satisfactory settlement sterling payment issue.

2. For these reasons, we are inclined maintain views set forth our Tosec 9⁵ which are strongly endorsed by Lodge (New York’s 7 of May 1 sent Dept. 859).⁶

3. However, if UK insists upon actually convening another SC meeting, which of course we could not refuse to do, we believe they should be told they will have to assume responsibility for conduct meeting, consultations other delegations, and for arranging to sound out likely Egyptian response if this still relevant. We are concerned in this connection by reference Dulte 3 to “effort get better Egyptian settlement”. We can think of nothing less helpful at present than another demonstration our inability wring concessions from Nasser and suggest you reiterate to Lloyd we would have no part such effort. In this connection Amb. Alphand today informed Rountree French view that if another SC meeting fails alleviate situation this would only tend enhance Nasser’s prestige at very time it has suffered setback in Jordan.⁷ French therefore inclined against another meeting.

Herter

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.41/5–257. Secret; Niact. Drafted by De Palma; cleared by Wilcox, Rountree, and Shaw; and approved by Herter.
2. Tosec 13 contained a summary of the May 2 conversation between Coulson and De Palma; see Document 310.
3. Document 308.
4. Supra.
5. Printed as telegram 7692, Document 309.
6. See footnote 7, Document 307.
7. Reference is to a conversation among Alphand, Lucet, de Laboulaye, Rountree, and Rockwell on May 2. (Memorandum of conversation by Rockwell; Department of State, Central Files, 974.7301/6–257)