501.BB Palestine/1–549: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt 1
us urgent
niact
14. Please call on FonMin and make following representation: 1. Acting Palestine Mediator has informed us that his Representative in Cairo telephoned Jan. 4 that Egyptian Govt had confidentially [Page 616] notified him of its readiness to enter into talks with Israel on all outstanding questions under UN auspices provided PGI obeys SC cease-fire order by 1400 GMT Jan. 5.
2. This Govt regrets that reported deadline provided little time in which to make friendly representations to both Govts of Israel and Egypt expressing hope of US Govt that cease-fire would promptly be obeyed and that negotiations between Israel and Egypt under UN auspices would be immediately undertaken to settle all outstanding questions.
4. [sic] American Govt profoundly hopes that Egyptian Govt will not alter its peaceful intent because reported deadline has already expired. US feels that reasonable opportunity should be given PGI in which to accept a serious and bona fide offer. You may inform FonMin that your Govt is making representations at Tel Aviv in hope that both Israel and Egypt will observe immediate cease-fire and commence negotiations for armistice and peace.
Repeated for info only to Tel Aviv as 7, London as 44.
- This telegram and No. 8, infra, were cleared with Mr. Clifford.↩