Office of the Historian

683.84A/4–651: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Offices 1

confidential
niact
Washington, April 6, 1951—7 p. m.

595. While Dept does not have complete and accurate factual acct of shooting of seven Israelies by Syrians, subsequent bombing Syrian installations by Israeli Air Force in El Hamma area April 4 and 5, you shld nevertheless make known fol US views to Syrian and Israeli govts at earliest opportunity:

  • I. US takes serious view trend recent developments between Syria and Israel. Stake which Syria, Israel and UN have in border peace [Page 625] is such that allocation blame and analysis validity of accusations and counter accusations are dwarfed in larger context of peace in area. Use of mil measures to settle differences can only lead to tragic consequences in countries concerned, area as a whole and world at large. US believes UN machinery adequate to settle questions in dispute and that this machinery shld be utilized to maximum. Under circumstances no mil measures can possibly be justified.
  • II. US believes that Demilitarized Zone shld be immed evacuated by mil forces both sides and Israel civil police within area shld remain close to Israel settlements. Mbrs shld comply with letter and spirit recommendations UN Chairman MAC has made or may make and with terms of armistice agreements.
  • III. US is consulting with UK and Fr. Unless there is cessation activity, we plan discuss with them what action may be necessary.

Dept today making known above to Syrian and Israeli Chiefs of Mission here.

For Embs Paris and London, Dept informing Brit and Fr Embs here substance above. Dept believes it wld be helpful if UK and Fr govts took similar action vis-à-vis Israel and Syrian govts.2

For USUN: If asked you may inform interested dels US position as set forth above. Dept believes it highly desirable that report be recd from UN observers in field quickly as possible.

Acheson
  1. Telegram drafted by Mr. Jones and Mr. Kopper. Cleared with TJNP. WE, and BNA. Transmission approved by Mr. McGhee personally. Sent niact to Damascus and Tel Aviv, and repeated for information to Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Jerusalem, Jidda, London, Moscow, and Paris.↩
  2. In telegram 6022 from Paris, April 8, the Embassy in part indicated that the British and French Governments both were taking action in the matter similar to that of the United States. (683.84A/4–851)↩