111. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the President and the Secretary of State, Washington, April 7, 1956, 9:10 a.m.1
President called Dulles. Said that Wilson had made request of NSC that the question of US joining the Baghdad Pact be put on the Agenda. President said this brought question to his mind: how can the Jews be so definitely hostile to us joining the Baghdad Pact while it is one of the big things, as he sees it, that would or could divide the Arab world. Dulles replied that they felt the Baghdad Pact would start an arms race. They think it was the thing that pushed Egypt into the deal with the Russians. President said he didn’t believe that—that he thought Nasser’s ambition did that. Dulles replied that his ambition was challenged by the action of Iraq—thought [though?] you can’t prove it. Dulles further said that he tried to argue with the Jews when it was formed that they should be in favor of the Pact.
Dulles said that he was absolutely certain that it would be impossible to get ratification of any such business. He has talked to Senator George and Senator Mansfield, both of whom say it would be totally impossible. He, himself, is not too sure that it would be wise for US to join. The military people have refused to give any idea of policy up to now—and suddenly they are urging US join the Pact.
President said we were originally strongly in favor of Pact being formed. Dulles agreed, but said we were not in favor of Iraq joining. President emphasized that we were in favor of pact between Pakistan and Turkey. Dulles said that the trouble was that the British have taken it over and run it as an instrument of British policy—that has drawn down upon it a tremendous amount of criticism.
President came back to his question about Israel. Dulles said it would lead to a demand that if we are going to guarantee anybody in this area, we have to guarantee Israel. President said “We can’t do any one of these things in a vacuum—have to look at rounded picture— everybody has got to have something.” President referred to discussion of other day—did it include help. Dulles said we were sending Henderson, Admiral Cassady, etc. “We are doing a great deal.”
President then said that Rabbi Silver is back from Palestine, bringing another letter from Ben Gurion. Had the President acknowledged his previous one? Dulles thought not. Question of whether Silver would be given an appointment to see President. Dulles does not recommend it one way or other. President pointed out it might be worse to see him than not, because he would want so many things that could not be given.
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, DDE Diaries, Telephone Conversations. Prepared in the Office of the President.↩