August 16th, 1956
Australia Supports Multinational Negotiating Framework
London
Robert Menzies represented Australia's interest in a navigable canal and joined deliberations over an international operating arrangement.
World History Database / Suez War / Those involved
Robert Gordon Menzies
Australia
Prime Minister of Australia
24 archival records
August 16th, 1956
London Conference Delegation Led
London
Menzies leads Australia's delegation to the London conference considering the future operation of the canal.
August 19th, 1956
Conference Considers Interests of Canal Customers
London
Robert Menzies joined negotiations balancing shipping nations' interest in reliable passage against Egypt's claims of sovereign control.
August 22nd, 1956
Five Nation Mission Proposal Takes Shape
London
Robert Menzies emerged as the proposed chairman of a group tasked with explaining the majority proposal directly to President Nasser.
August 22nd, 1956
Menzies Proposed to Lead Canal Delegation
London
Robert Menzies emerged as the proposed chairman of the multinational mission tasked with presenting the London canal plan to Egypt.
August 23rd, 1956
Eighteen Governments Authorize Five Nation Mission
London
Robert Menzies was appointed to chair a delegation acting for eighteen states that supported the London Conference's majority proposals.
August 23rd, 1956
Five-Nation Committee Selected
London
Menzies is chosen to lead a five-nation committee carrying the London proposals to Nasser.
August 23rd, 1956
Menzies Appointed Chairman of Cairo Mission
London
Robert Menzies was chosen to head a five-country committee representing the eighteen governments that supported the majority proposal.
August 24th, 1956
Committee Mandate Limits Mission to Explanation
London
Robert Menzies's committee was authorized to present and clarify the majority proposals rather than negotiate an entirely new settlement.
August 24th, 1956
Delegation Requests Meeting With President Nasser
London
Robert Menzies formally sought a meeting with Gamal Abdel Nasser to explain the eighteen-power conference proposal.
August 26th, 1956
Committee Organizes Presentation of Canal Plan
London
Robert Menzies arranged for the delegation to explain international operating proposals while testing Egypt's readiness for negotiation.
August 30th, 1956
Mission Prepares Formal Approach to Nasser
London
Robert Menzies arranged the diplomatic presentation of the eighteen-government proposal before travelling to Cairo for discussions.
September 1st, 1956
Committee Arrives for Egyptian Consultations
Cairo
Robert Menzies and the other delegates prepared for direct exchanges with Egyptian officials about the London Conference settlement plan.
September 3rd, 1956
Cairo Meetings Begin With President Nasser
Cairo
Robert Menzies led the five-nation committee in meetings with Gamal Abdel Nasser about the future administration of the Suez Canal.
September 3rd, 1956
Cairo Mission Opens
Cairo
Menzies begins talks with Nasser on proposals for international management of the canal.
September 3rd, 1956
Menzies Committee Begins Cairo Negotiations
Cairo
Robert Menzies presented the international canal administration proposal to Egyptian leaders in talks following the London Conference.
September 6th, 1956
Committee Encounters Fundamental Differences With Egypt
Cairo
Robert Menzies concluded that major disagreements remained over the scope of Egyptian authority and international canal administration.
September 7th, 1956
Menzies Sends Written Summary to Nasser
Cairo
Robert Menzies set out the eighteen-power proposals in writing and described the underlying differences revealed during the talks.
September 7th, 1956
Menzies Sets Out Eighteen Power Case
Cairo
Robert Menzies summarized the objectives of the eighteen-country proposal and the differences that had emerged in talks with Egypt.
September 9th, 1956
Cairo Mission Fails
Cairo
Menzies leaves Cairo without agreement after Nasser rejects international control of the canal.
September 9th, 1956
Menzies Mission Ends Without Canal Agreement
Cairo
Robert Menzies's committee concluded its discussions without obtaining Egypt's agreement to the eighteen-government framework.
September 10th, 1956
Menzies Mission Returns Without Agreement
London
Robert Menzies and his committee returned after failing to secure Egyptian acceptance of the London Conference plan.
September 12th, 1956
British Parliament Reviews Five Nation Mission
London
Robert Menzies's unsuccessful Cairo discussions became a subject of British parliamentary debate about the next diplomatic steps.
September 19th, 1956
Menzies Reports Failed Cairo Negotiations
London
Robert Menzies explained the outcome of his mission to Egypt, giving the participating states a basis for discussing whether a users association could move the dispute forward.