<--PREV Doc #73  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  Second Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #75 Document #74; March 15, 1957 To David Ben Gurion Series: EM, AWF, International Series: Israel ; Category: Cable. Secret The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XVIII - The Presidency: Keeping the Peace Part I: A New Beginning, Old Problems; January 1957 to May 1957 Chapter 1: The Mideast and the Eisenhower Doctrine   Dear Mr. Prime Minister: I have received your message of March 13 delivered through Ambassador Eban. I want you to know that we are following recent developments affecting Gaza with concern and are working hard to the end that the objectives of peace and tranquility in the area will be achieved.1 The United States has made clear its hopes with respect to the situation which should prevail following the Israeli withdrawal.2 We shall continue to strive to see to it that those hopes materialize. It is, of course, obvious that this will involve many difficulties and will raise questions which the United States alone cannot decide. The problems with which we are confronted have been for a long time in the making, and patience and forbearance are required in our task of seeking a solution to them. I am sure you will agree that it is of the utmost importance that the greatest restraint be exercised by all concerned and that there be avoided any precipitate action which might result in a deterioration of the situation and a risk of undoing all that has been accomplished. My personal interest in the establishment of stability and tranquility in the area continues deep. I look forward to continuing close consultation with your Government on the problems involved.3 With kind regard. Sincerely yours 1 For background on Egypt's plan to install a military governor in the Gaza Strip see no. 72. Israel's ambassador to the United States, Abba Eban, had given Ben Gurion's letter to Acting Secretary of State Herter. Ben Gurion had informed Eisenhower that fedayeen guerrilla units had begun operations against Israeli settlements. "At the same time," the Prime Minister said, "Cairo Radio has officially announced that Egypt will not permit any ship, Israeli or other, including American tankers, to exercise the right of free passage through the Straits of Tiran." Ben Gurion added that the area could be "cast in the throes of a most grave crisis" and asked for Eisenhower's assurance that Israel would have no cause to regret its withdrawal (AWF/I: Israel; see also State, Foreign Relations, 1955 - 1957, vol. XVII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1957, pp. 423 - 24, 433 - 41). 2 See, for example, no. 56; see also State, Foreign Relations, 1955 - 1957, vol. XVII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1957, pp. 422 - 23. 3 Upon receiving the President's letter, Ben Gurion stated that Israel would "take no precipitate action" and would "do nothing to contribute to [the] deterioration of the situation" (State, Foreign Relations, 1955 - 1957, vol. XVII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1957, pp. 429 - 30). For developments see no. 77.   Bibliographic reference to this document: Eisenhower, Dwight D. Cable. Secret To David Ben Gurion, 15 March 1957. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 74. 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/second-term/documents/74.cfm <--PREV Doc #73  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  Second Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #75

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission 1629 K Street, NW Suite 801 Washington DC 20006 Phone: 202.296.0004    Fax: 202.296.6464