97. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the President in Thomasville, Georgia, and the Secretary of State in Washington, February 15, 1957, 10:30 a.m.1
TELEPHONE CALL TO THE PRESIDENT
The Pres returned the call and the Sec said the Israelis are coming in at 2 to give their reply. All of the forecasts are it will not be anything like an unqualified acceptance and probably will create somewhat of a crisis for us at the UN. The Sec wondered what the Pres would think of laying on plans so that if it proves to be the case the Sec could come down with Lodge to talk with the Pres this evening. The Pres said fine. The Sec said airborne at 4 and be there at 8. Then they could have [Page 157] dinner on the plane and have a couple of hours talking and leave first thing in the a.m. The Sec will let him know after we see his reply. The Près will be in the rest of the day.
The Sec said Truman has written a very helpful piece urging prompt action on the plan and pointing out delay plays into the hands of the enemies etc.2 The Sec does not know if the Pres would think it wise to express appreciation. It would highlight his recommendation if you did. It was in a syndicated column yesterday. The Pres asked that it be read to Mrs W.3 —and for a suggested message. May I express my appreciation for the public-spirited and bipartisan attitude which you have shown in this action. The Pres said it should not be too personal.
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, White House Telephone Conversations. Transcribed by Bernau.↩
- Reference is to Truman’s syndicated column in The New York Times on February 14. In it, the former President emphasized the need for economic cooperation among all nations in the Middle East and proposed that the United States help sponsor, by providing experience and skill, a program of economic development which would bring both peace and prosperity to the area.↩
- Reference is to Ann Whitman.↩