Dear Pug: First of all, let me express my profound appreciation that you unburdened yourself to me concerning the sad mess in which the free world has become involved.1 I shall not attempt to recite the long series of events extending back over many months that have contributed to some of our misunderstanding, but I do assure you that I have never lost sight of the importance of Anglo-American friendship and the absolute necessity of keeping it strong and healthy in the face of the continuing Soviet threat.2
I should like at once to give you one or two categorical assurances. The first is that NATO remains the chief cornerstone of America's security alliances. I as earnestly believe in NATO and as earnestly support it as I ever did. Secondly, far from being indifferent to the fuel and financial plight of Western Europe, I have been meeting daily with my staunchest and most trusted advisers to determine how we can be most speedily and effectively helpful.3 A prime need in any such cooperation is an adequate permanent source of oil and an adequate and permanent supply of oil can come only from the Mid East region. Consequently, it has been vital that our public moves be so timed that they do not irrevocably antagonize the Arab world. This is an extremely delicate matter and one that cannot be publicly talked about.
I realize that because we have adopted as a matter of continuing policy the unequivocable support of the United Nations, our attitude has been misinterpreted by the European public and of course in some cases this has led to unfortunate misunderstandings even among people who know a considerable part of the background of this whole affair. But just as we must make certain of a continuing oil supply, we cannot and will not be in the position of coercing or pressuring our friends, all of which has compelled us to be extremely guarded and almost secret in our actions.
Nevertheless we realize that there is no time to waste and even today I am making an occasion to reassert our support of NATO and as soon as the situation permits, will say even more.4
I cannot close without urging that you continue on your present job in the same faith and conviction that have sustained you heretofore. There has been no change in my basic policies and purposes, and I am hopeful that within a very short time all of these things of which I speak so guardedly can be brought out into the open.
With warm personal regard, As ever
