287. Editorial Note
On August 21, the U.N. General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution sponsored by 10 Arab states which called upon the Secretary-General to consult with the governments involved and make “such practical arrangements as would adequately help in upholding the purposes and principles of the Charter in relation to Lebanon and Jordan in the present circumstances, and thereby facilitate the early [Page 511] withdrawal of the foreign troops from the two countries.” (U.N. General Assembly Official Records, Third Emergency Special Session, Supplement No. 1 (A/3905), page 1, printed in American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1958, pages 1047–1048) The sponsoring states were Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, and the United Arab Republic.
The U.S. Delegation consulted with Representatives of Lebanon, Jordan, and the United Arab Republic concerning the language of the resolution before it was introduced. (Delgas 671 and 672 from New York, August 21; Department of State, Central Files, 320/8–2158; memorandum of conversation between Dulles and Malik, August 21; ibid., Conference Files: Lot 63 D 123, CF 1088) Permanent Representative Lodge described the resolution to United Arab Republic Foreign Minister Fawzi as a “constructive development.” (Delga 672)
Secretary of State Dulles, in his remarks to the General Assembly, indicated that the United States would have preferred the language of the Norwegian resolution, but concluded that in substance the two resolutions were similar. He applauded the fact that the countries involved in the controversy had found it possible to agree on concerted action as a result of the emergency session of the General Assembly, and he reiterated that the United States desired “at the earliest possible moment” to withdraw its forces from Lebanon. (USUN Press Release 2983, printed in American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1958, pages 1044–1047)
In a telephone conversation with Herter on August 21, Dulles stated that it was better to have the Arab States sponsor what amounted to a rewrite of the resolution supported by the United States in that they would then have the responsibility for its implementation. Herter agreed and felt that “pinning the responsibility on them” was a “great victory”. (Memorandum of telephone conversation; Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations) Dulles told Eisenhower, however, in another telephone conversation on August 21, that the resolution would rehabilitate and invigorate the Arab League, and the Israelis were unhappy about that. Eisenhower still felt that the Arab resolution looked good and Dulles agreed. (Memorandum of telephone conversation; ibid., White House Telephone Conversations) Dulles talked with Eisenhower again after the resolution was adopted, and Eisenhower asked, in light of the resolution, how soon the troops could be withdrawn from Lebanon. Dulles said that he had discussed that question with Rountree and Reinhardt, who were instructed to follow up “with a view to not dissipating the advantages gained by the Resolution.” (Memorandum of telephone conversation; ibid.) The three memoranda are included in the microfiche supplement.