250. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom1
9159. Deliver following message from President to Prime Minister Macmillan.2 Confirm date and time delivery,3
“June 26, 1957.
Dear Harold: I am delighted that you are prepared to join with us in putting forward in the Disarmament Subcommittee the proposals which Harold Stassen has been discussing with you and our French and Canadian colleagues in London. We hope that this will pave the way for rapid progress in the Subcommittee.
Your concern about the possible effect on your nuclear position of the putting into effect of a program such as we propose is fully understood. I am, of course, happy to reaffirm the agreement which was reached in the exchange of letters between Harold Stassen and Commander Noble last February and March. Your willingness to go along with our proposals in this respect will, I hope, be a significant step looking to increasing world security. Certainly, it will show the world our good intentions. Whether or not the Soviets will respond by accepting either the basic concept, or an adequate inspection system to support it, is, I fear, quite problematic. But we shall see.
As ever, Ike E”
Observe Presidential handling.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 330.13/6–2657. Secret; Priority; Presidential Handling.↩
- A suggested draft of this letter, which was attached to a covering note from Dulles to Eisenhower, June 26, is identical to the message below. (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File)↩
- According to telegram 7343 from London, June 27, the President’s message was delivered to Macmillan’s office on June 27 at 1:05 a.m. (London time).↩