350/2–2150: Telegram
The United States Delegation to the Trusteeship Council to the Secretary of State
262. Tcdel 90. At lunch today with USDel Eban and Rafael reported Jordan now proposes five-year non-aggression pact as practical half-way step between armistice and peace since peace treaty would place Jordan in embarrassing position vis-à-vis other Arab states. Also stated that during direct talks Jordan delegation much concerned about Christian interests in Jerusalem and Israel cannot press for protection these interests since most were in Arab part Jerusalem. USDel impressed upon Eban importance reaching, before completion and adoption statute by TC, some form agreement between Israel and Jordan acceptable to and protective of Christian and third party interests. Eban replied Israel in accord but unable to secure Jordan’s agreement and in absence of this for Israel to propose alone an arrangement [Page 754] protective of third party interests would only widen breach between Israel and Jordan. He hoped, therefore, some way could be found for bringing pressure upon Jordan. Eban again suggested publicly today in TC that Israel would be glad to work out some satisfactory arrangement for international protection Holy Places also with Jordan with cooperation of TC. Eban, in conversation with USDel, suggested that if negotiations between Israel and Jordan on international aspects Jerusalem could take place with some third party assistance representative of Christian interests, chance of bringing Jordan to agreement would be very greatly increased. We replied that he might care to get Israel Ambassador in Washington to discuss matter with Department.
Sent Department 262; repeated London 65, Jerusalem unnumbered. Department pass Tel Aviv unnumbered, Amman unnumbered, USUN unnumbered.