Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Lebanon and Jordan, Volume XI

228. Memorandum for the Record by the Secretary of State’s Staff Assistant (Boster)¹

Washington, July 24, 1958.

SUBJECT

• Conversation between the Secretary and Foreign Minister De Murville regarding a Summit Conference

In a telephone conversation with Couve de Murville on July 24, the Secretary said that we were not anxious to be stampeded into a high level meeting with the Soviets. He said that while our approach was somewhat different from the French, basically we were not far apart. He wanted De Murville to know that our next reply will tend to slow down the movement toward a meeting. He noted that we did not want to see it rushed, although the British did.

De Murville said that he did not object to the idea of a meeting but not under the conditions set by the Soviets. If the meeting could be arranged calmly and not so soon, he thought it would be all right.

The Secretary said that, although we were expressing our position in a somewhat different manner than the French, we basically share their view that the meeting should not be arranged in great haste. He said we did not think anything should happen for two or three weeks or perhaps longer, but we certainly did not want the meeting to take place within the next few days. He said we planned to suggest that the Permanent Representatives at the United Nations should discuss the question and see if there is general agreement on this kind of meeting and, if so, when and where it should be held.

De Murville said that this was fine and repeated that they did not want to be rushed. The Secretary said that we might have to take account of the views of the British. De Murville said he understood.

The Secretary said that Alphand would report our position in more detail.²

DEB

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1/7–2458. Confidential.
2. Dulles also discussed the Soviet proposal for a Security Council heads of government meeting with French Ambassador Alphand on July 24. Alphand stated that France was firmly opposed to a conference within the framework of the United Nations. The French Government was particularly opposed to New York as a locale in that the “theatrical” atmosphere of the United Nations would give Khrushchev a unique propaganda platform. Alphand added that De Gaulle almost certainly would not attend such a conference. (Ibid., included in the microfiche supplement)