Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Arab-Israeli Dispute, January 1–July 26, 1956, Volume XV

445. Memorandum From the Secretary of State’s Special Assistant (Russell) to the Under Secretary of State (Hoover)¹

Washington, July 12, 1956.

SUBJECT

• Meeting in Secretary’s Office July 11

At the meeting in the Secretary’s office yesterday afternoon:² 1. There was a discussion about Eban’s renewed request for arms for Israel.³ The Secretary said there should be immediate approval of the following routine items: 18 Piper Cub aircraft, 40 ANTRC–1 transportable radio sets; spare parts for M–4 (Sherman) tanks, $43,000 worth of half-track parts, and aircraft parts for P–51 aircraft. The Secretary requested that a telegram be drafted to Ambassador Merchant authorizing him to inform the Canadian Government of the equipment we have released to the IG during the past six months so that they will not be under the misapprehension that we are presently engaged in an embargo on all military supplies to Israel; and also authorizing Merchant to indicate to the Canadians that in the context of the release of F–86’s by Canada and possibly similar releases by other Western powers, the U.S. would be prepared to release to Israel the following: 400 50 caliber heavy machine guns for use on aircraft, 130 White scout cars (half-tracks), 5 S–55 helicopters, 15 dismantled M–7 and M–7B 105 mm Howitzer gun carriages.⁴ The Secretary approved Mr. MacArthur’s suggestion that at such time as we decided to inform the IG of approval of the foregoing items, we would make it plain that the approval was conditional upon assurances by the IG in connection with such things as retaliatory raids and cooperation with UNTSO. The Secretary did not approve the IG application for 18 C–82 aircraft (used for military cargo and paratroop operations).

2. The Secretary said that he felt that an announcement should be made on “Operation Stockpile” in some form in the near future. The Secretary indicated his approval of a suggestion by Mr. Bowie that the announcement be made in the form of a letter from the Secretary to Hammarskjold telling him in general terms that we have arranged to have equipment in the area which would be made available to the victim of aggression.⁵ This letter could subsequently be publicized.

The subjects for the meeting in the Secretary’s office this afternoon are:

A. Additional questions in connection with “Operation Stockpile”.

B. Our reaction to Fawzi’s proposals for steps towards an Arab-Israel settlement.

C. Position to be taken by Secretary in meeting which Hussein is expected to request for next week on Aswan Dam (Cairo’s telegram 45, July 10.⁶).

1. Source: Department of State, S/S–NEA Files: Lot 61 D 417, Omega #8. Top Secret. Prepared for a meeting with the Secretary on Middle East problems scheduled for the afternoon of July 12. According to Secretary Dulles’ Appointment Book, the meeting, attended by Dulles, Hoover, MacArthur, Bowie, Burdett, Bergus, Russell, Bond, Ludlow, and Kirk, was held from 2:29 to 3:36 p.m. (Princeton University Library, Dulles Papers)
2. The meeting on July 11 began at 3:06 p.m. Dulles, Elbrick, Allen, MacArthur, Bowie, Bergus, Russell, Kirk, and Burdett attended. (Dulles’ Appointment Book; ibid.)
3. When Eban met with Dulles on July 10, he told the Secretary that there “had been little progress on Israel’s routine procurement efforts in the United States.” (Memorandum of conversation by Bergus, July 11; Department of State, Central Files, 784A.5–MSP/7–1156) See also Document 451.
4. See Document 471.
5. See Document 456.
6. Document 439.