<--PREV Doc #2061  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #2063 Document #2062; November 2, 1956 To Jawaharlal Nehru Series: EM, AWF, International Series: Nehru ; Category: Cable. Secret The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XVII - The Presidency: The Middle Way Part XI: The free world's "sad mess"; October 1956 to January 1957 Chapter 22: On Suez "we do not see eye to eye"   Dear Mr. Prime Minister: I have been deeply touched by your letter of November first in which you expressed your gravest concern at the tragic events in the Middle East, and conveyed to me your great appreciation of the attitude of the United States Government in this matter.1 We too were shocked by these developments, and distressed that the efforts that we took in the Security Council did not bring about a cessation of hostilities or the withdrawal of forces. We hope that the resolution adopted by the General Assembly with Indian support last night will have this result.2 I share your fear that this situation might well lead to a widening of the conflict, and destroy the very foundation of the United Nations whose function has been to promote peace and prevent war.3 I can well understand that memories of colonialism linger in some countries, but we do have assurances from the Government of Britain that they have no intention of trying to revive this practice, regardless of appearances.4 You have my assurance, Mr. Prime Minister, that the fullest efforts of the Government and people of the United States are dedicated to finding a solution to this crisis based on justice and the principles of the United Nations. I am happy to know that we are both considering this matter earnestly and that our efforts are mutually supporting.5 With best wishes, Sincerely 1 Nehru's November 1 letter remains classified (AWF/I: Nehru). Secretary Dulles had commented that the letter "was said to be cast in very general terms" (NSC meeting minutes, Nov. 1, 1956, AWF/NSC; see also State, Foreign Relations, 1955-1957, vol. XVI, Suez Crisis July 26-December 31, 1956, p. 924). 2 See no. 2057. 3 See no. 2058. Eisenhower told Acting Secretary Hoover that the United States might propose an arbitration commission to settle the entire Middle East situation. If the United Nations should want him to meet with Nehru, he was ready to go anywhere to do so because "he thought they came closer to commanding the respect of the world and it would make it difficult for the world to turn down our proposal." Hoover wrote Secretary Dulles that "The President feels we are on the right track. Therefore, he is willing to do anything. He thinks we have got to keep up the momentum . . . " (Hoover to Dulles, Nov. 2, 1956, Dulles Papers, White House Memoranda Series; see also Telephone conversation, Eisenhower and Hoover, Nov. 2, 1956, AWF/D). Later that afternoon, Dulles, Hoover, and the President discussed the possibility of setting up what Dulles called an "elder statesman `board of appeals'" composed of Eisenhower and Nehru to "develop a solution to the Middle East dispute." Hoover worried, however, that the United Kingdom or the Pakistanis might object (Goodpaster, Memorandum of Conversation, Nov. 5, 1956, AWF/D). 4 See no. 2055. 5 For developments see nos. 2070, 2072, and 2085. Bibliographic reference to this document: Eisenhower, Dwight D. Cable. Secret To Jawaharlal Nehru, 2 November 1956. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 2062. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/first-term/documents/2062.cfm <--PREV Doc #2061  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #2063

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