867N.01/5–449: Telegram
The Ambassador in Israel (McDonald) to the Secretary of State
332. At state dinner May 3 Sharett asked me report to Department in strictest confidence that special meeting Israel-Syrian armistice negotiators to be held May 5 without presence UN officials at request Syria. Foreign Minister regards this as crucial test. He pleads for US good offices [garble] urge Colonel Zaim not insist on “rectification” of frontier. If this demand is withdrawn, Foreign Minister optimistic agreement armistice and prospect of peace negotiations.
Comment: I hope Department can act promptly.1 End Comment.
[Page 978]New subject: Foreign Minister told me that Israel expects issue either New York or Lausanne new and comprehensive refugee statement. Comment: I hope but I cannot be sure it will be conciliatory. End comment.2
- The editors have found no evidence in the Department of State files that it ordered the exercise of the good offices of the United States in this matter. On May 7, the Department advised Tel Aviv of its anxiety to receive information concerning the outcome of the Israeli-Syrian meeting of May 5 (telegram 280, 867N.01/5–449). In reply, on May 10, Ambassador McDonald stated he had been advised by General Riley that the “meeting was complete failure. Neither side would budge.” (telegram 347, 867N.01/5–1049)↩
- Presumably the statement by Mr. Eytan as reported in supra.↩