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

501.BB Palestine/1–2949: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt ¹

top secret

Washington, January 31, 1949—6 p. m.

117. Ur 116 Jan 29. On Jan 29 Dept informed Epstein of Egypt PrimMin’s response concerning Israeli proposal re El Auja. Epstein communicated substance to Tel Aviv and informed Dept Jan 31 that Shertok instructing Israeli reps Rhodes make following new proposal to Egyptians.

Village of El Auja to be seat of Israeli-Egyptian armistice commission and under control UN observers. Troops neither side to be present. Main body Israeli troops to be withdrawn “well back”. Israeli “strong points” to be maintained “north and south of El Auja” along Egyptian frontier for defensive purposes.

Epstein said PGI position on release Faluja brigade remains same.

According Epstein PGI considers above arrangement should remove Egyptian fears that El Auja would be menace to Egyptian lines communication. Shertok desired details be worked out in Rhodes instead of Washington and Cairo. Epstein said PGI anxious Rhodes negotiations not be broken off.

Acheson

1. This telegram was repeated to London, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv.