684A. 85/4–2051: Telegram
The Ambassador in Israel (Davis) to the Department of State 1
667. Re Embtel 579, Mar 222 and Embdesp 541, Mar 23.3
[Page 648]Shiloah has now given me what purports to be copy Israel reply4 to PriMin Jordan’s communication suggesting possible basis implementation Jordan-Israel armistice agreement and settlement certain other outstanding problems. Israel reply (being air mailed today) includes fol:
- (1)
- Best procedure is to implement gen armistice agreement as first step; hence discussion items outside scope armistice agreement shld be excluded from talks for present and may properly be taken up later by special comite mentioned Article VIII after implementation armistice agreement.
- (2)
- Reaffirms Israel willingness hand over Naharayim area but on understanding all outstanding details implementation armistice agreement “will be agreed upon before this area is handed over”.
- (3)
- Rejects Jordan suggestion that Article VI be extended to villages east of demarcation line in ex-Iraqi sector but offers compensation to landowners on Israel side who have chosen move to Jordan. Rejects any claim on Israel Govt of landowners on Jordan side armistice line but states such claims may be placed on agenda Article VIII comite after implementation that article. Reaffirms Israel readiness pay for road mentioned Article VI (5) armistice agreement.
- (4)
- Accepts in principle free movement Latrun–Jerusalem road and operation Latrun pumping station be achieved by division noman’s-land. Suggests details be worked out by mil.
- (5)
- Expresses “amazement” suggestion Mt. Scopus be treated as Jordan territory since area held by Israel forces prior to mil agreement July 7, 1948. Entire Mt. Scopus area “is and must remain Israel territory”. Only on this understanding can problem be discussed.
- (6)
- Detailed plans for implementation free access to holy places shld be achieved during Pechrut [apparent garble] negots with effective date left to special agreement.
- (7)
- Israel prepared implement Article VIII provisions to Bethlehem road and electricity for old city.
Shiloah reminded me that Jordan plan included four points outside armistice agreements, viz, cession Naharayim area, release of blocked accts, compensation of Arabs owning property in Israel-held Jerusalem, and division of no-man’s-land in Jerusalem basis property ownership. He said that despite Israel policy of insistence on implementation armistice agreement before taking up other questions he was authorized agree to transfer Naharayim area; and while making no ref to matter of blocked accts in written communication he delivered oral message that Israel Govt will consider partial release in order to help Jordan officials make settlement more palatable in Arab circles. He indicates his govt not prepared to discuss other compensation outside terms of armistice agreement until that agreement fulfilled. Moreover, suggestion re divisions no-man’s-land in Jerusalem regarded as entirely impractical and unacceptable as method of fixing [Page 649] boundary. As to uncompromising attitude re Mt. Scopus, he stated his govt wld not have made any pronouncement on this subj had Jordan not attempted prejudice Israel position.
Comment: Emb has impression both sides inclined to be defeatist about success of negots and doubts whether present exchange of correspondence will bring success much, if any, nearer. It believed real Israel position less rigid than text implies.
- Repeated to Amman and Jerusalem for information.↩
- Not printed. (68A.85/3–2251) It contains a summary of the Jordanian proposals discussed in despatch 223 from Amman, March 19, p. 601.↩
- Not printed, but see footnote 4, p. 602.↩
- The full text, dated April 16, of this document is enclosed with despatch 623 from Tel Aviv, April 20, not printed. (684A.85/4–2051)↩