402. Telegram From the Department of State to the Consulate General at Jerusalem1
Washington, August 1, 1967,
2236Z.
14759. Ref: Jerusalem 250.2
State 13222 was addressed to Jerusalem but apparently not transmitted due communication error. Following is text, slightly modified in Para 1 d., to correct inaccuracy in original version:
- 1.
- In process of considering possible solutions to Jerusalem
problem that might be acceptable to all parties, we have
attempted to identify assumptions upon which any workable plan
must be based. They are:
- a.
- Our overriding objective is to achieve peaceful settlement between Israel and Jordan and settlement of Jerusalem problem should be within this context.
- b.
- Israel will agree to no settlement which involves return of Old Jerusalem to exclusive Jordanian rule.
- c.
- Jordan will agree to no settlement which fails to take into account Jordanian interests in Old City.
- d.
- Jerusalem should not again become Middle Eastern Berlin, divided by barbed wire, no-man’s-land and virtually complete ban on movement from one part of city to another. The only theme the Israelis state about Jerusalem is that it must be a unified city under single administration, which now includes Jordanian personnel previously employed by Old City government. They propose that Holy Places be placed by agreement with religious authorities under religious “sovereignty” and be given diplomatic status.
- e.
- There should be guarantee, satisfactory to the three religious communities with special interests in Jerusalem, that Holy Places will be safeguarded and members of three faiths will have access to them.
- 2.
- We would appreciate comments of all addressees as to soundness and completeness these assumptions. Tehran, Rawalpindi, Djakarta, Kuala Lumpur, requested comment as to whether approach based on these hypotheses is likely satisfy local Muslim interests concerning [Page 745] Jerusalem. Rome comments requested re probable Vatican reaction.
Rusk
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27 ARAB–ISR. Secret; Exdis. Drafted and approved by Atherton and cleared by Grey. Repeated to Amman, Tel Aviv, USUN, Beirut, Jidda, Tunis, Tripoli, Rabat, Kuwait, Rome, Rawalpindi, Tehran, Kuala Lumpur, Djakarta, and London.↩
- Dated July 31. (Ibid.)↩