484A.118/2–1350
The Secretary of State to the Israeli Ambassador (Elath)
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency’s notes Nos. 1239/501 and 1240/50 of February 13, 1950, concerning the armaments situation in the Near East and the desire of the Israeli Government to acquire defensive military equipment in this country.
I wish to assure Your Excellency that the United States Government is deeply aware of the necessity that peace be established and stability be maintained in the Near East. It has been the policy of the United States Government not only to initiate but also to support, both in the United Nations and directly, these measures which would promote the establishment and maintenance of peaceful conditions in the area. It is essential that the present trend in the Near East away from war toward peace continue.
As the Secretary informed you on January 312 the Department, within the framework of this Government’s policy on the export of arms to the Near East, will continue to receive and give sympathetic consideration to applications for licenses for the export of military equipment to the area. As you know, licenses have already been granted for the export to Israel of a considerable quantity of military material.
In conclusion, I wish to assure Your Excellency that the United States Government fully appreciates the importance of the Near Eastern armaments situation, and will continue to devote the closest attention to developments affecting this subject.
Accept [etc.]