767N.90D/7–2149: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Israel
476. During past two years USG has consistently supported UN in its handling of Palestine. USG has also sought ways of bringing Israelis and Arabs together directly or indirectly in UN or outside UN. Para 4 of GA Res Dec 11 provides that parties seek agreement by negots conducted either with PCC or directly Dept recently supported direct talks between Israel and Egypt for this reason, and because PCC was in recess. Thus far Arabs have been unwilling, however, undertake direct talks.
Dept considers it preferable at this critical stage to place major emphasis on new phase PCC activities and strongly to support new US rep. If emphasis were shifted at this time to series of personal conferences between high Israeli and Arab officials, we wld appear to be undercutting PCC and thereby prejudice its present prospects for success and its future usefulness. Meanwhile, possible personal conferences might be protracted and lead to no result.
[Page 1257]Dept believes Ben Gurion’s desire for action, as reflected by willingness meet Zaim, might equally well be implemented by Israeli del at Lausanne. Such Israeli efforts at Lausanne to reach agreement with Syria might also have effect of promoting agreement between Israel and other Arab states at Lausanne.
It may be desirable at later date to encourage direct talks between high Israeli and Arab officials if under conditions then existing such talks should appear advisable to supplement discussions at Lausanne or otherwise to accelerate developments. Meanwhile, you are instructed informally to emphasize to Israeli officials importance we attach to current phase PCC discussions.1
- This telegram was
repeated to Amman as No. 105 and to other Arab capitals, London,
Bern (for the American Delegation at Lausanne), Jerusalem, and
New York. Tel Aviv replied on August 8 that Foreign Minister
Sharett the previous day had expressed his dismay at the
admonition contained in telegram 476 and had stated that “Israel
determined seek peace in Middle East and ‘means business’ in its
resolve cooperate every way with PCC to this end. Nevertheless, as ‘sovereign
independent state here to stay’ he felt Israel should be given
‘free hand’ in its efforts contribute toward attainment peace
whether via PCC or through
direct contact with Arab neighbors, and said his Government
convinced such bilateral approach US would be helpful in
reaching PCC’s own objectives.
Foreign Minister said he voiced Prime Minister’s sentiments this
respect and that Shiloah had conveyed same to Porter.”
The Foreign Minister had also expressed the hope that the “‘Arab states would be counseled and influenced’ accept proposal” concerning the Arab refugees “promptly since longer Arabs delayed action, more increasingly might Israel, forced by public opinion, ‘disengage itself from commitments’.” (telegram 602, 501.BB Palestine/8–849)
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