Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XX, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1967–1968

305. Information Memorandum From the President’s Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson¹

Washington, November 4, 1968, 5 p.m.

Mr. President:

Herewith an account of latest secret Israeli-Jordan exchange:²

• —top level meeting postponed until Nov. 19;
• —strong Jordanian arguments for simple Israeli acceptance of November Resolution³—which they should do.

I do believe it is not impossible we can move the Middle East around the corner in the weeks ahead—if we try very hard.

Walt

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Files of Walt W. Rostow, Arab-Israeli Private Talks. Literally Eyes Only.
2. [text not declassified](Ibid.)
3. King Hussein asked that President Johnson be informed that he was doing everything he could to bring about peace. He felt that Israel’s public acceptance of Resolution 242 was critical to the peace process, and he asked that President Johnson use whatever influence he had to get Israeli Foreign Minister Eban to convey Israel’s acceptance of the resolution to Jarring during the current discussions at the United Nations. (Ibid.)