Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Suez Crisis, July 26–December 31, 1956, Volume XVI

565. Joint Proposal by the Departments of State and Defense¹

Washington, November 10, 1956.

PROPOSED UNITED STATES CONTRIBUTION TO UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL FORCE

1. The United States’ non-reimbursable contribution to the establishment of the U.N. International Force will be as follows:

a) The U.S., upon call from the United Nations, will provide the initial air and surface lift for the forces designated to participate in the U.N. Force, currently estimated to be on the order of 3,500 to 5,000 troops. In providing this lift, commercial ships and planes may be chartered as necessary to supplement or in lieu of military lifts.

b) Nations with which the United States has bilateral agreements for military assistance will be granted authority by the United States to use equipment acquired through MDAP for the forces participating in this United Nations assignment.

2. It is anticipated that the United Nations Force will request logistic support as follows which the Department of Defense should be prepared to provide upon request by the Department of State:

Services:

(a) Personnel evacuation and hospitalization,

(b) Maintenance support,

(c) Transportation,

(d) Post exchange support.

Supply:

(a) Rations,

(b) Individual and organizational equipment,

(c) Spare parts,

(d) POL.

3. In regard to the non-reimbursable contribution indicated in par. 1, the Department of Defense will as necessary, seek supplemental appropriations to cover the cost involved. The cost of any logistic support covered in par. 2 above, furnished by the United States, will be reimbursed by the United Nations in accordance with provisions of the United Nations Participation Act and appropriate Executive Order and in accordance with arrangements agreed upon by the United Nations General Assembly.

4. No United States military personnel will enter nor will United States supporting facilities be established in the area under the supervision of the United Nations Force.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 320.5780/11–1056. According to a handwritten notation, Hoover handcarried this document to the White House on November 10, together with the following covering note: “Enclosed for your approval is a joint proposal by the Departments of State and Defense regarding the United States contribution to the United Nations International Force authorized by the General Assembly November 6, 1956.” The Department of State file copy of the document bears Eisenhower’s signature and is dated 7:30 p.m., November 10. At 8:55 p.m., the Department of State transmitted the text to USUN in telegram 277 indicating that the President had approved the plan. (Ibid.)