867N.01/3–3149: Telegram
The Chargé in Transjordan (Stabler) to the Secretary of State
143. Legtel 142, March 30.1 After meeting which lasted until 0300 hours this morning understanding had been reached on all points. It was agreed that original agreement and modifications thereto would not be kept secret and that they would form instructions to two armistice delegates at Rhodes who would include terms thereof in general armistice agreement. However, until armistice agreement signed, terms these “instructions” would not be made public. Modifications to original agreement were signed by Defense Minister and Israeli representatives and were appended to original agreement as annex.
Israelis were unwilling accept Transjordan concept that areas demanded by Israel which were not allotted to Israel under partition should be made no man’s land, and stated that question of partition did not enter into discussions. While Israelis insisted they should occupy areas up to lines laid down in original agreement, it was nevertheless agreed that neither Transjordan nor Israeli forces would occupy Arab villages within areas affected and that such villages would remain “enclave”. Villages would raise own police forces and would have contact with areas under Transjordan or Israeli occupation [Page 887] through UN. This arrangement would preclude possibility large numbers refugees.
Israelis also agreed to change in wording paragraph 4 of original agreement so that it would read “Israel, for its part, will make certain changes for the benefit of Transjordan in area west of Hebron”. Re this Israel will make ratification of lines this area which would return to Transjordan authority considerable territory. Also agreed that paragraph 3 original agreement would be entirely eliminated.
Fawzi Pasha said Israelis wished discuss last night question of Latrun for which they willing make compensation. However, Transjordan representatives replied that first step should be signature of armistice based on lines at time of cease-fire agreement and that later further talks would be held concerning Latrun, Hadassah, Potash works, railroad to Jerusalem, etc.
Fawzi Pasha indicated it now expected armistice agreement (draft of agreement concerning Arab Legion fronts has been considered and approved by Transjordan) including terms re Iraqi front would be signed at Rhodes on Monday April 4. It is understood Legion will take over from Iraqis on April 5.
In general, Defense Minister appeared glad to have matters settled and felt Transjordan had used weeks grace to good advantage.
Sent Department 143, repeated Baghdad 35, Beirut 30 for USDel PCC, Jerusalem 76.
- Not printed; it advised that the King, the Prime Minister, the Chief of the Transjordanian Delegation at Rhodes, and the Defense Minister would meet with Israeli Representatives on the evening of March 30 to discuss the question of the Iraqi front. The Trans Jordanians anticipated proposing that “those areas in question which were allotted to Arabs under partition should become no-mansland under UN until final settlement.” (867N.01/3–3049)↩