President Eisenhower today opened his press conference by announcing that he wanted to correct remarks he made last week about Israel and former Ambassador Abba Eban.
The President said he had his staff look up the record. He found he was mistaken in saying he personally warned Mr. Eban in advance against Israel’s Sinai action in October, 1956. At his press conference last week, the President had stated that he told Mr. Eban that Israel should not conclude that American Jewish considerations and the November Presidential election would prevent American opposition to Israeli military action.
The President explained today that he actually made the remarks to the late Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles, who was to meet with Mr. Eban a few minutes later. Mr. Eisenhower indicated that Mr. Dulles, at his direction, told Mr. Eban of the White House views.
Mr. Eisenhower said the error showed his memory was not perfect. He explained that he confused in his mind Mr. Dulles’ talk with Mr. Eban with a subsequent visit by the Israel Ambassador to the White House.
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