501.BB Palestine/5–349: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Vincent) to the Secretary of State
661. Palun 139. During past week PC met separately with Syrian delegation and Transjordan delegation headed by Fawzi Pasha Mulki. Both indicated desire to cooperate for Near East peace. Commissioners, advisers, and Azcarate also had numerous separate discussions with individual members of Israeli and Arab delegates. PCC’s underlying impression is Israel and Arab states are sincerely desirous of making peace arrangements soonest but are maneuvering for position.
Israeli delegation is seriously concerned re question of Israeli admission to UN. It fears extensive UN debate may delay and even prevent Israeli admission at this GA session. It continues to suggest PCC recommend GA not debate such matters as refugees and Jerusalem in view Israeli and Arab talks with PCC at Lausanne. PCC has, however, maintained position stated in Palun 136.1 Israeli delegation is also communicating with Tel Aviv re possible conciliatory statement on refugees. Partial drafts thus far seen are evasive. US delegation hopes satisfactory statement will result but fears Ben-Gurion’s strong views will prevent. Israeli delegation has given no indication of working with BCC’s committee on Jerusalem re plans for internationalization of Jerusalem area.
Arab delegations are keenly aware of their present tactical position. Arab delegations are not yet ready to meet with Israeli delegation for this reason and because of general reluctance to move quickly. It seems unlikely Arab delegations will engage in substantive discussion with [Page 969] Israeli delegation either directly or through PCC until UN debate on Israeli admission is concluded. Arab delegations appear willing, however, to discuss all questions with PCC.
PCC therefore plans to continue to talk with individual delegations and will endeavor to draw up agendas of points which may eventually serve as framework for Israeli-Arab discussion either through PCC or directly. It is also hoped PCC might draw up certain preamble material on which Israel and Arab states could agree and which would serve as point of departure for further discussion as was case at Rhodes.
Eytan, now heading Israeli delegation, also approached Ethridge re Israeli-Syrian armistice negotiations expressing view that if agreement were signed with mandate frontier as armistice line Israel would be willing make border rectifications in peace talks. Syrians are already familiar with this argument and are probably unlikely to forego present bargaining advantage. In order resolve impasse US delegate suggests Syrians might withdraw to frontier while Israelis withdraw from equivalent area in Israeli territory. Area evacuated could then be considered as neutral pending and without prejudice to effect settlement.