367. Telegram From the Department of State to the Secretary of State, at Geneva1
Tedul 32. Secretary from Acting Secretary. 1.USUN called up this morning to say General Burns greatly worried by rumors impending action on Israel-Arab frontier. They submitted draft statement which we approved from General Burns addressed to Fawzi and Kidron as representatives of Egypt and Israel respectively for release newspapers Sunday morning October 30.2
“I have the honor to draw to your attention the very serious situation prevailing in the Elauja demilitarized zone and vicinity.
“It appears that both parties have recently been sending additional armed personnel into the area and occupying new defensive positions.
“The grave incident in which Egyptians attacked an Israeli police post in the demilitarized zone inflicting casualties and taking prisoners was followed by violent Israeli retaliation at Kuntilla of more serious extent.
“The Security Council has repeatedly condemned aggressive activities and retaliations which can only cause the situation between the parties to deteriorate.
“In view of my responsibilities, I formally request both parties to issue orders to their forces in the vicinity of the Elauja demilitarized zone, and at all other points where they are close together to cease all aggressive activities and retaliations, and restrict their operations to defense, in keeping with the terms of the General Armistice Agreement.
“I call to attention of both parties the grave moral responsibility that will be borne by the party which takes offensive action of any kind which, in this situation, may result in the gravest consequences.
“I am authorized by the Secretary General to state that he has seen this letter and that this demarche is made also on his behalf.”
2.Lodge asked Burns if more UN personnel for patrol of borders were needed and indicated our willingness supply our share.Burns answered “How many divisions are available?” In other words Burns said few hundred additional personnel unnecessary unless UN prepared to furnish forces roughly equivalent to those now deployed on either side of frontiers.
3. With regard to letter quoted paragraph 1 above,Lodge wishes following note transmitted to Secretary Dulles at Geneva: [Page 677]
“The Secretary General has asked me, on transmitting the text of the letter to the two parties, to inform you that General Burns and he share the gravest concern about the situation and fear the prospects of precipitated Israeli action on a large scale. In this situation he feels that you and your colleagues from the Western powers may wish to consider the possibility of using the presence of Mr. Sharrett in Geneva for direct support of their request to the two parties. He feels that such further demonstration of your concern might considerably reduce the risk of an immediate further deterioration. Mr. McMillan and Mr.Pinay are being informed by the British and French delegations about this suggestion to you.”3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/10–2955. Secret. Drafted, approved, and signed by Hoover.↩
- The Mission at the United Nations transmitted the draft text of Burns’ letter to Fawzi and Kidron as well as Lodge’s note to Dulles in telegram 389, October 29. (Ibid., 674.84A/10–2955).↩
- Dulles instructed the Department on October 31 to inform the Mission at the United Nations to “tell Hammarskjöld I emphasized to Sharett this afternoon [see Document 372] concern US feels over Israel-Egypt border situation and importance we attach to restraint by Israel and its cooperation in preventing process of one border difficulty leading to another in a crescendo that held danger of large-scale war.” (Secto 101 from Geneva;ibid.,NEA Files: Lot 59 D 518, Geneva Conference—Oct. 27–Nov. 17, 1955. Telegrams—Incoming & Outgoing (Wash. & Geneva))↩