629. Telegram From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Department of State1
3062. Lloyd called me to his residence late last evening. He said that as a result of their talks with the French Dixon is being instructed to inform Hammarskjold and Lodge that the following course of action has been agreed upon.
In his speech in Commons Monday2 Lloyd will announce that British and French forces will be withdrawn from Suez “without delay”. Withdrawal is premised on the fact that an adequate UN force is being built up, the UN is proceeding with the clearance of the Canal, and the Secretary General has undertaken to take steps to facilitate further negotiations looking toward the future operation of the Canal. He will not announce that British and French withdrawal will be accomplished by specified date but the intention is that the withdrawal will in fact be carried out in 15 days, i.e., by December 18.3 The French objected to the announcement of a specific date on the grounds that such announcement might give an opportunity for the Egyptians and other Arab nations to arrange celebrations, demonstrations or other undesirable action immediately following such specific date. I argued that Soviets and Egyptians could exploit this imprecision but he said French are adamant. He added he himself [Page 1233] feels it is desirable not to mention the date in order to keep the Soviets guessing. However, Hammarskjold and Lodge are being told that it will in fact be 15 days and Lloyd emphasized that the decision in this regard does not constitute stalling tactics. He hoped 15-day withdrawal period would remain confidential during Parliamentary debate but assumed it might not since it is already being speculated on freely in the press.
General Keightley is also being ordered to confer at once with General Burns with a view to Burns’ taking over responsibility for law and order in Port Said as the British and French withdraw and assuring the safety of any British or French salvage equipment which may be left in the Canal. British are seriously concerned over possibilities of civil disorder when they withdraw.
Lloyd went on to discuss briefly the political effects internally of this decision. He said that the government may well fall as a result of it and that the government’s ability to remain in power will depend on both the attitude of the Conservative back benchers and also the tactics adopted by the opposition. Lloyd professed to feel that decision to withdraw is correct in itself and that in fact the British have accomplished their primary purpose of terminating hostilities between Egyptians and Israelis and that their action has also resulted in the establishment of the UN force. He is consequently arguing with back benchers that withdrawal at this time is not a humiliation. He is, however, less than sanguine as to the result of his representations and feels strongly that the main determinant in their thinking will be the speed with which UN clearance of the Canal can be commenced. If UN clearance can actually begin within 4 or 5 days after his statement on Monday, i.e., before British and French withdrawal is completed, it will be very helpful and it would be of further material assistance if the UN can utilize some portion of the British and French salvage equipment even as little as one salvage vessel.
Lloyd also said that in addition to his speech in the House on Monday Macmillan will make an important economic and financial statement there Tuesday and it is still anticipated that the debate will conclude Thursday night.