867N.00/12–149: Telegram
The Chargé in Israel (Ford) to the Secretary of State
850. Embtel 846, November 28.1 Shiloah, Israeli Foreign Office, spent half-hour my home evening November 30 discussing Israeli-Jordan [Page 1517] secret talks. He confirmed he and Sassoon had begun talks night November 27 at Abdullah’s winter palace Shuneh; that King had spent first ten minutes with them talking “genial generalities” and that thereafter he had delegated matters to Samir Pasha Rifai with his blessings and retired. Shiloah said subsequent 45 minutes discussions conducted with “friendly cordiality,” Samir and Sassoon being “old friends with much in common.”
Shiloah said neither King nor Samir brought up “old JaffA–LyddA–Ramle story” but concentrated solely on Jordan’s need for outlet to Mediterranean which, in Jordan’s eyes, meant “entire Negev in interests in both Jewish and Arab world contiguity.” Samir felt present Jewish wedge driven into Arab world must be removed in order justify to other Arab states any concession Jordan might now make looking to final peace settlement.
Jewish delegation’s reply, according Shiloah, was to effect Israel fully realized importance to Jordan of Mediterranean outlet and was prepared make “any reasonable offer” but not at cost of entire Negev. Shiloah argued that if Arabs wished avoid “inevitable Jewish expansionism” in future, they must not cramp Jewish state now. Israel delegates said some other solution short of Negev “must and could be found” and suggestion of Hebron–Gaza corridor was reportedly then put forward. Shiloah said he pointed out such an arrangement would necessitate agreement with Egypt but that this was matter for peaceful settlement between Jordan and Egypt. “We might be willing concede corridor if Egypt willing concede western terminal.”
Shiloah said talk terminated more or less on this note, that he and Sassoon were then dinner guests of King who was in “jovial reminiscing mood,” and that second secret meeting with same participants at same place was called for night December 1. He said he unable say yes or no to overall success first meeting but stressed its friendly atmosphere. He said he believes King wants peace “with or without Negev” and that if tonight’s or any future talks break down solely because of Negev, it would indicate to him that King was not acting solely for himself but for “third party.”
Comment: Shiloah rarely brings himself to utterance word “Britain” but that is of course his “third party.” In several recent talks with British Minister here he has repeatedly said insofar as he knows British Government is keeping hands off present trend of events, that his government “doesn’t care who holds the Negev as long as it is not the Russians,” and that while so-called Gaza corridor would be no sacrifice for Israeli if Arabs prepared swallow it to save face, he believed his government would applaud if only in interests getting on with job.
[Page 1518]I stressed to Shiloah after last night’s talk keen interest my Government in progress present negotiations; pointed out he and Sassoon had assumed grave and delicate burden, the success or failure of which could have far-reaching consequences, and hoped he would keep me current on developments. End Comment.
Sent Department 850; repeated London 140; Jerusalem 98; Department pass Amman 62.