Dulles now began to contemplate an outright break with the Egyptian leader. Unfortunately, at the crucial moment of decision, Eisenhower was sidelined by illness. From June 8 to July 16 he was either in Walter Reed Hospital or recovering in Gettysburg from his intestinal surgery. Just three days after returning to the Oval Office—thin, still in pain, and irritable—Eisenhower met with Dulles to discuss the Egyptian issue. On July 19, in a 10-minute conversation, Dulles outlined his proposal to withdraw financing from the Aswan Dam project.
