Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1955, Volume XIV

388. Telegram From the Consulate General at Geneva to the Embassy in France¹

Geneva,November 7, 1955—noon.

199. From Secretary. Reference Tosec 176 (1838 to Paris²), 173 (Paris tel 2226 to Dept³);Deptel 1139 (2229 to [from] Paris⁴);Secto 145 (179 to Paris⁵).

As Pinay is in Paris, Embassy Paris requested make statement to Foreign Office along lines tosec 176. If FonOff refers to tripartite meeting November 2 (Secto 145), it should be informed that no indication was given by Pinay of prospective shipment of Mysteres to Israel, certainly not to MDAP financed shipment. Moreover there was agreement at meeting on desirability of US,UK and French coordination on arms shipments to Middle East. You may say I suggest that three Ministers may wish discuss at Geneva general question of future machinery for coordination but that in meantime we believe prior information of intended shipments should be given NEACC.⁶

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–GE/11–755. Secret;Niact. Received at 6:35 a.m. The source text is a copy of the telegram repeated to Washington as Secto 199. Also repeated to London.
2. Dated November 5, it conveyed a suggestion from Hoover that Dulles point out to Pinay that “it would seem wise to refrain from large arms shipments to either side at this stage in view tense situation in Near East” and that “shipment of MDAP-financed planes requires prior US approval.” (Ibid., Conference Files: Lot 60 D 627,CF 619)
3. Telegram 2226 from Paris, November 4, repeated to Geneva by the Department on November 5 as Tosec 173, reported that the French Government was about to recommence arms deliveries to Egypt and, to offset this, to authorize delivery of 12 Mystere aircraft to Israel. (Ibid., Central Files, 784A.56/11–455)
4. Telegram 2229 from Paris, November 4, repeated to Geneva by the Department on November 5 as telegram 1139, reported that the French planned to finance the Mysteres initially with MDAP funds. (Ibid.)
5. Document 383.
6. Telegram 2273 from Paris, November 7, reported that the Secretary’s message had been conveyed to the French Foreign Office, which would inform Pinay of his concern. (Department of State, Central Files, 784A.56/11–755) Telegram 2287 from Paris, November 8, reported that the Mysteres had not left France and that Pinay planned to discuss the subject with Dulles and Macmillan at Geneva. (Ibid., 784A.56/ 11–855)