229. Telegram From the Department of State to the President’s Special Assistant (Richards), at Athens1
3901. For Richards from Secretary. Dear Dick: The President and I have been giving further thought to the future arrangements for your Mission in the light of the most recent developments in the Arab-Israel area. The conclusion which we have reached involves further change in plans which we believe the present situation necessitates.
Events in Jordan moved with such speed that we found it necessary to give King Hussein speedy financial aid without prior discussions between you and the Government of Jordan. Hussein has gratefully accepted this assistance, despite the fact that his present difficulties appear to make it impossible for him to be as forthcoming publicly as we might otherwise expect. Moreover, we can understand why under present circumstances he feels it best that your Mission not visit Jordan. We feel also that you should not in the near future visit Egypt and Syria, even after you are finished with Morocco and Tunisia. On the other hand, we wish to avoid any impression of disinterest in Israel, although a visit there and not to Jordan does present some disadvantages.
As you know, it was our original thought that your visit to Bonn with subsequent stops in Morocco and Tunisia would provide some time to review the situation before you were required to proceed to Israel and perhaps to other states in that vicinity. We now believe it would be best for you to proceed from Athens directly to Israel for a very brief (one day) visit, thence Morocco and Tunisia, and then to Washington.
This further change would be explained by public statement to the effect that despite earlier plans for us to meet in Bonn, the President was particularly anxious to have your counsel in connection with current preparations for the new Mutual Security bill to be discussed with Congressional leaders on May 9, [and] the President had asked you to curtail your present tour and return to Washington as soon as possible. In the same statement it would be said that it was envisaged that those countries which you had been unable to visit and which were interested in discussing the program would be able to exchange views with this Government through regular diplomatic channels.
[Page 525]The rapidly moving and favorable developments which have brought about this alteration in plans are in no small measure due to the success of your efforts. We think it wise that you and your colleagues remain in Athens until the announcement is made and arrangements made with Israel, Tunisia and Morocco.
I am departing immediately for Bonn. I would appreciate your telegraphing your comments to Chris Herter.
With kind regards, Foster.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.1580/4–3057. Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Bergus and Rountree and approved by Herter who signed for Dulles.↩