501. Memorandum for the Record by the Director of the Executive Secretariat (Howe)1
The Acting Secretary and Mr. Phleger reported the following, following their conversation with the President at 10:15. (Colonel Goodpaster will forward official notes of the meeting.)
[Here follow items 1–6.]
- 7.
-
Press Guidance on UK–French landings—Mr. Hoover reported that the statement originally drafted as a guidance to Line White had been revised slightly and classified to Top Secret as a policy document.2 It was not given to Mr. Hagerty for release. Apparently the President and Mr. Hoover believe that there is no immediate need for a statement on US attitude toward the UK-French invasion of the Suez although Mr. Hagerty believes there should be as much publicity as possible simply to keep the American people informed. (Note: Mr. Phleger suggested that a paraphrase could be prepared indicating that the step was not a surprise, and represents a further complication; but that a plan for a cease-fire was still underway at the UN.) Mr. Hoover undertook to prepare a guidance for Line White which would be composed of a severe editing of the now approved policy statement.
[Here follow items 8 and 9.]
- 10.
- Syria—There was apparent discussion of the possibility that the Russians would take actions through and in Syria. The President had asked Mr. Hoover to request Mr. Allen Dulles to have his Agency keep a very close eye on this situation in Syria and elsewhere to indicate at the earliest moment such possible Soviet actions. (Mr. Hoover was to call Mr. Dulles.)
- 11.
- UK-French Invasion—Apparently there was some concern expressed that the UK-French activity was not a simple policy action or that the UK might not be able to control the French or may themselves wish to really clobber the Egyptians and not just get hold of the Canal.