501.BB Palestine/3–249: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
priority
258. Telegram from Bunche received at Lake Success evening March 2, reports that Vigier1 informs him Israeli-Lebanese negotiations are running into difficulties. Israelis unwilling evacuate Lebanese territory while Syrians remain on Lebanese front. Also object to an international frontier armistice commission, stating that the frontier will require rectification for security reasons.2
Bunche has received no word from Syrians regarding acceptance his invitation to armistice negotiations.
Israeli-Egyptian armistice commission initial meeting went off smoothly in cordial atmosphere.
Israeli–Trans-Jordan negotiations going slowly while Trans-Jordan delegation waiting clearance by Amman of agenda on cease-fire discussions.3
- Henri Vigier, Mr. Bunche’s Deputy in connection with the armistice negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.↩
- The Lebanese Foreign Minister informed Minister Pinkerton that Lebanon “would not yield one centimeter territory and would not discuss in armistice negotiations revision of frontiers.” (telegram 98, March 4, 6 p. m., from Beirut) The Department of State, on March 5, instructed Mr. McDonald to “ask ForMin whether report concerning request by Israeli repr during Israeli-Leb armistice negots for amendment Leb-Pal frontiers is correct and if so whether request reflects formal position Israeli Govt.” (telegram 133 to Tel Aviv) (Both telegrams are filed under 867N.01/3–349)↩
- Amman reported, on March 2, that at the Transjordanian-Israeli negotiations on Rhodes, Mr. Bunche had proposed “that before discussing armistice, formal cease-fire agreement covering all Arab Legion fronts (not only Jerusalem) be signed. So far question Iraqi fronts not brought up.” (telegram 78, 867N.01/3–249)↩