867N.01/1–949: Telegram
Mr. Wells Stabler to the Secretary of State
13. Mytel 5, January 4.1 Glubb Pasha2 gave following account this morning of meeting held January 5 between Abdullah El-Tel rep resenting King and Dayan and Shiloah representing Israelis:
During course of meeting Abdullah El-Tel said that Transjordan would wish return of Ramle and Lydda as they predominantly Arab areas. Israelis replied in connection this argument they claimed areas in Negev which were predominantly Jewish prior hostilities. Tel is alleged to have commented that these areas small, at which point Israelis asked him to delimit territories he had in mind. However Tel replied that he must refer this question to his government. Other points also raised but no progress made.
[Page 631]Glubb believed next meeting scheduled for January 12 or 13 in Jerusalem.
In Glubb’s opinion progress of meetings too slow due mainly to fact that Prime Minister and Transjordan Government are not supposed to be informed in matter. In final analysis government would have to decide question and sign any agreement and therefore present state of affairs prevents presentation concrete suggestions. Unless both parties are able to cease fencing and come down to point by point definitive discussion of what each one wants and what each is prepared to give other in compromise possible that existing cordiality will be jeopardized and only several more meetings can be held.3
Re Israel’s and Egypt’s agreement entered direct armistice talks under United Nations auspices, Glubb thought this might give impetus [Page 632] to King’s bringing out into open Transjordan’s present talks with Jews. Hoped Israel would not use these talks to play one Arab state off against another.
Sent Department 13, repeated Jerusalem 9.
- Not printed.↩
- Maj. Gen. John Bagot Glubb, Commander of the Transjordanian Arab Legion.↩
- In telegram 15, January 10,
Amman advised further that the meeting between the Israelis and
Abdullah el-Tel on January 5 were “inconclusive with topics
still being discussed in preliminary manner. Israelis presented
their credentials signed by Ben Gurion and Shertok. While they
seemed dubious about telegram’s credentials signed by King only,
they nevertheless accepted them. Kirkbride said atmosphere
meeting had been described as cordial with Israelis making
special effort.” (867N.01/1–1049)
Tel Aviv, on January 6, reported on the same matter as follows: “At Foreign Ministry request Shiloah reported meeting last night PGI and Transjordan representatives Jewish Jerusalem on armistice went well. Transjordan representative, in reply question from Shiloah, confirmed there had been no threat of ‘peace or war’ in previous talks and had added ‘if there had been we would not now be talking.’ Shiloah added significantly that Transjordan representative stated British now cognizant negotiations.” (telegram 14, 501.BB Palestine/1–649)
London, on January 12, advised of information from the British Foreign Office on the meeting of January 5 (telegram 145, 501.BB Palestine/1–1249). This message read in part as follows:
“First point discussed was possibility division Jerusalem into Arab and Jewish areas with exchange isolated pockets of Arab and Jewish populations. Jews said Old City should be international zone in Arab area but insisted that Hebrew University and Hadassah hospital, although isolated, must remain Jewish and must be linked by corridors.
“2. Next topic was Negev in which Jews said they must have access to potash works southern end Dead Sea and access to Red Sea where they propose to build port. They added PGI quite agreeable to provide means to build port for joint use Israel and Transjordan.
“3. When Tel replied Transjordan must have access to Mediterranean it was recognized that all objections to this were difficult to reconcile and left at that.
“4. Transjordan representative again referred to Jaffa and Galilee (paragraph 5 Embassy’s 20, January 4) which he said must be returned to Arabs but Jews evaded this issue and repeated that any frontiers set would have to be based on present military situation.
“5. Jews offered to return six Arab Legion prisoners and all Egyptian prisoners in return for Jewish prisoners held by Transjordan and 200 Jews held by Egyptians.…
“6. Transjordan representatives referred to plight refugees, said they should return to their homes. Jews did not refuse to agree but argued it would be simpler for PGI to pay refugees compensation and to assist settlements refugees Transjordan.…”
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