1 ¶ Statement by the President Concerning Hungarian Refugees. January 1, 1957 THE ATTORNEY GENERAL will continue to parole Hungarian refugees into the United States until such time as the Congress acts. This action, in my opinion, is clearly in the national interest. It will prevent a stoppage of the flow of these refugees and will permit the United States to continue, along with the other free nations of the world, to do its full share in providing a haven for these victims of oppression. 2 ¶ White House Statement Following Bipartisan Conference on Foreign Policy, Mutual Security, and National Defense. January 1, 1957 THE PRESIDENT met this afternoon with the leaders of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives for a bi-partisan conference on foreign policy, mutual security and national defense. During the meeting the leaders also received from the Vice President a review of his report to the President on the Hungarian refugee situation. The President thanked the leaders for the bi-partisan cooperation he had always received from them in the field of foreign affairs. The Secretary of State then reviewed world developments, particularly during the last six months. He expressed the opinion that the position of International Communism had deteriorated throughout the world and that the United States at the same time had moved into a position of great opportunity for world leadership for peace and stability as well as for world responsibility. The President and the Secretary of State then discussed in more detail the Middle East situation. The President asserted that the Middle East was a vitally important area to the entire world. To help that area remain free the President recommended that the Congress join with him in serving notice to the world that the United States would resist any Communist aggression in that area. Specifically, he requested the leaders: (1) To authorize an enlarged program of economic aid to the nations in that area, by authorizing additional monies for the President's Emergency Fund which would be used for that purpose, and (2) to support a Congressional resolution which would be designed to deter Communist armed aggression in the Middle East area. A general discussion then followed. It was agreed that the matter should be promptly dealt with on the basis of an early Presidential message to the Congress and hearings by the appropriate Congressional Committees. The Director of the International Cooperation Administration then reviewed for the leaders the program for the coming year in mutual assistance, including mutual military support and economic and technical assistance for our allies and friends. The Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff next outlined the 1958 program of the Defense establishment of the United States and the measures which he deemed necessary to protect the nation against attack and to insure peace in the world. The Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission followed with a review of the United States' participation in the President's Atoms for Peace program through the International Atomic Program of the United Nations. The Director of the United States Information Agency stressed the importance of the Agency's program to present to the peoples of the world America's position in maintaining peace and working for cooperation with all friendly nations. The Secretary of Commerce urged Congressional approval for participation by the United States in the Organization for Trade Cooperation (O. T. C.). 3 ¶ Letter to Nikolai Bulganin, Chairman, Council of Ministers, U.S.S.R. January 2, 1957 [Released January 2, 1957. Dated December 31, 1956] Dear Mr. Chairman: I have given careful consideration to the declaration by the Soviet Government to which you had invited my attention in your letter of November 17, 1956, but find myself in basic disagreement with the analysis of your government as it relates to the source of international tension. The people of the United States cannot accept the declaration's attempt to dismiss as "a slanderous campaign" the world's indignant reaction to the Soviet armed actions against the people of Hungary. While the Soviet Government has not responded to the constructive recommendations of the United Nations with respect to Hungary, the parties at dispute in the Middle East have accepted the assistance of the United Nations. A similar response by the Soviet Union to the resolutions of the United Nations concerning Hungary would constitute a significant step toward the reduction of the tensions to which the Soviet declaration addresses itself. Your government's statement suggests that the strategic situation in Western Europe is now advantageous to the armed forces of the Soviet Union. This statement does not seem calculated to relieve international tensions. Moreover, I am convinced in the light of my long association with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization that it is fully capable of carrying out its mission of collective defense. You suggest further meetings of heads of government. I could agree to a meeting whenever circumstances would make it seem likely to accomplish a significant result. But, in my opinion, deliberations within the framework of the United Nations seem most likely to produce a step forward in the highly complicated matter of disarmament. Accordingly the United States will make further proposals there. I take hope from your apparent willingness to consider aerial inspection as a positive factor in the problem of armaments. Much to my regret, however, your government's declaration does not signify willingness to seek agreement on the basic element of my Geneva proposal of averting surprise attack through aerial inspection of the centers of our military power. The United States is giving this and your other disarmament proposals careful study. We are prepared to discuss them, as well as the further United States proposals, in forthcoming meetings of the Disarmament Subcommittee. You may be sure that our government will continue its efforts in behalf of effective control and reduction of all armaments. It will be my never-ending purpose to seek a stable foundation for a just and durable peace in the mutual interest of all nations. Sincerely, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER NOTE: The text of Mr. Bulganin's included in the release. letter of November 17, 1956, was not 4 ¶ Telegram Regarding Commemoration of George Washington Carver Day. January 5, 1957 [Released January 5, 1957. Dated December 28, 1956] Dr. Alma Illery President, Pittsburgh Branch The National Achievement Clubs, Inc. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Each year, on the fifth of January, it is a privilege to join in honoring the memory of George Washington Carver. Though born a slave, Dr. Carver grew up a free man and through his |