Office of the Historian
  1. Home
  2. Historical Documents
  3. Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Suez Crisis, July 26–December 31, 1956, Volume XVI
  4. Document 107

107. Memorandum of a Conversation Between the Ambassador to France (Dillon) and Foreign Minister Pineau, 10 Downing Street, London, August 20, 1956, 11 p.m.1

USDel/MC/59
London , August 20, 1956, 11 p.m.

SUBJECT DISCUSSED

  • Possible use of force in Suez dispute

M. Pineau took me aside at the reception last night and said he was convinced that military action would be inevitable in the Suez dispute and that he considered that it would be most important to have arrangements completed ahead of time so that an international conference could be called within a few days after the initiation of military action to consider the future international status of the canal.

  1. Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 746. Drafted by Dillon. The conversation took place at a reception given by Prime Minister and Lady Eden.↩