July 1956
International Control Proposal Backed
Paris
Pineau supports proposals intended to place canal operations under an international system.
World History Database / Suez War / Those involved
Christian Pineau
France
Minister of Foreign Affairs
22 archival records
August 1st, 1956
Meeting with British and American representatives
London
Meets British and American representatives after the canal nationalization to discuss an international response.
September 26th, 1956
France Joins Formal Request for Council Debate
United Nations
French diplomacy joined Britain's request for the Security Council to consider Egypt's unilateral nationalization and the unresolved canal management controversy.
October 10th, 1956
France Joins Canal Settlement Exploratory Talks
United Nations
Christian Pineau participated in consultations on an internationally acceptable canal settlement during the Security Council debate.
October 12th, 1956
France Discusses Safeguards for Canal Operations
United Nations
Christian Pineau took part in the negotiations developing safeguards for passage, tolls and the insulation of canal management from politics.
October 12th, 1956
Political Neutrality Clause Gains Support
United Nations
Christian Pineau took part in negotiations that included insulating canal operations from the political policies of any individual country.
October 13th, 1956
Canal Operations Insulation Endorsed by Council
United Nations
Christian Pineau's government supported the unanimous resolution requiring canal management to be insulated from national political interference.
October 13th, 1956
Compensation Arbitration Included in Canal Principles
United Nations
The Council framework called for arbitration of unresolved compensation disputes between Egypt and the former Suez Canal Company.
October 13th, 1956
French Delegation Introduces Settlement Resolution
United Nations
Christian Pineau's government worked with Britain to put the six agreed requirements into a Security Council draft resolution.
October 22nd, 1956
French Diplomats Outline Canal Intervention Scenario
Sevres
Christian Pineau participated in negotiations linking an Israeli offensive in Sinai to a later Anglo-French intervention near the canal.
October 23rd, 1956
Pineau Consults Eden in London
London
Christian Pineau traveled from the Sèvres negotiations to London to discuss the evolving joint plan directly with Anthony Eden and Selwyn Lloyd.
October 24th, 1956
French Side Sets October Thirtieth Ultimatum
Sevres
Christian Pineau accepted the protocol's sequence requiring Britain and France to make separate but simultaneous demands on Egypt and Israel on 30 October.
October 24th, 1956
Pineau Signs Protocol for France
Sevres
Christian Pineau signed the written Sèvres understanding on behalf of France, documenting the agreed sequence of attacks and demands.
October 24th, 1956
Protocol of Sevres
Sevres
Signs the secret Protocol of Sevres with Israeli and British representatives.
October 24th, 1956
Secret Protocol Signed for France
Sevres
Pineau signs the Sevres protocol on behalf of France.
October 24th, 1956
Tripartite Secrecy Obligation Formalized
Sevres
Christian Pineau signed terms requiring the arrangements to remain strictly secret while the three governments prepared their separate military actions.
October 29th, 1956
French Diplomats Coordinate Joint Ultimatum Language
London
Christian Pineau's government worked with Britain to frame parallel demands that would provide a stated justification for intervention.
October 30th, 1956
France Defends Intervention Before Council Debate
United Nations
French policy treated the Anglo French operation as a means of securing the canal even as other Council members challenged the use of force.
October 30th, 1956
France Joins Withdrawal Demand on Combatants
London
France delivered the ultimatum alongside Britain, calling on Egyptian and Israeli forces to remain away from the Suez Canal.
October 31st, 1956
France Votes Against Emergency Referral
United Nations
France voted against the decision to convene an emergency General Assembly session as international objections to the intervention intensified.
October 31st, 1956
French Officials Defend Stated Peacekeeping Purpose
London
Christian Pineau's government argued that the intervention would protect the canal despite objections that it was coordinated with Israel.
November 1956
United Nations
United Nations
Defends French policy during United Nations debate over the Suez intervention.