Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

867N.01/11–2449: Telegram

The Chargé in Israel (Ford) to the Secretary of State

secret
priority

Tel Aviv, November 24, 1949—1 p. m.

842. Eytan called me to Foreign Office November 23 to announce in “strictest confidence” that King Abdullah had “informally invited” Government of Israel to enter into negotiations for final peace treaty and that Israel had “formally accepted” invitation November 21. Eytan said Jordan reply expected momentarily and that while it was anticipated initial talks would be “largely exploratory” in character his government was determined enter “wholeheartedly” into discussions and hoped achieve “early favorable results.” Eytan then referred to Israel Government note October 28 to PCC saying gist this note was “direct negotiations” and that present Jordan offer appeared to be “first fruits” October note and also “vindication” Israel’s long-held belief in efficacy direct negotiations.

Eytan then stressed his government’s hope that “we may be left alone to negotiate with Jordan in our own fashion” and that no “third party influence or interference will be brought to bear” in forthcoming negotiations. He said insofar as he knew only USG through Ambassador Elath had been apprised new development¹ and was uncertain whether King had informed British. He urged entire matter be kept secret for present.

Comment: Eytan not normally demonstrative, restrained with difficulty his elation. From his manner there would appear to be no doubt about Jordan offer. Incidentally he regretted “good news” had not been available for Ambassador McDonald prior his departure early morning November 23 for Istanbul. End comment²

Sent Department 842, repeated Jerusalem 96, London 139, Department pass Amman 60, Istanbul for Ambassador McDonald unnumbered.

Ford

1. Ambassador Elath had informed Mr. Hare of the new development on November 22. The Ambassador had indicated that “it might also be necessary at some stage to call upon the United States Government to facilitate the progress of the [Israeli-Jordanian] talks”; and had expressed the hope that “we would be willing to use our influence should it be required to bring about agreement.”

   Mr. Hare, in reply, had “thanked the Ambassador for this information and said that as he well knew the United States Government had favored direct talks and that our principal objective on this question was the restoration of peace and stability in the area. We should, of course, welcome any free negotiations which would achieve this objective.” (memorandum of conversation by Mr. Stabler, 867N.01/11–2249)

2. Chargé Ford, on November 28, reported information from a British source that Messrs. Shiloah and Sassoon had left the previous afternoon to hold the first direct peace talks with Jordanian representatives that same night. The source had also provided information from Minister Kirkbride that the initiative for the talks had come from the Israelis rather than from King Abdullah (telegram 846 from Tel Aviv, 867N.01/11–2849).