501.BB Palestine/5–949: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Israel
secret
Tel Aviv, May 9,
1949—7 p. m.
us urgent
282. Info reaching Dept re Syrian armistice negots indicates offer by Zaim of personal talk with Ben-Gurion re outstanding questions, but that possible offer has not reached Ben-Gurion.1 Pls bring this offer to notice Ben-Gurion in appropriate manner, indicating interest USG in view importance armistice agreement to success. Lausanne discussions.2
Acheson
- New York, on May 8, had advised that “Zaim has offered talk personally with Ben-Gurion re armistice lines and other outstanding questions. … Bunche suspects that Zaim’s proposal may not have been brought to Ben-Gurion’s attention. Bunche suggests that it would be helpful if Department would manage to bring Zaim offer to notice of Ben-Gurion.” (telegram 573, 501.BB Palestine/5–849)↩
- This telegram was repeated to New York and Damascus and to Bern for the U.S. Delegation at Lausanne. In reply on May 12, Ambassador McDonald stated he had spoken to the Israeli Prime Minister about a personal talk with the Syrian leader and was informed that he had known of this suggestion from the beginning (telegram 357 from Tel Aviv, 501.BB Palestine/5–1249).↩