357. AC/7–251: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Offices 1
2. Fol Dept’s current views re Huleh problem: Dept believes there are certain steps which shld be taken by parties in cooperation with TSO on spot before SC shld be called on study problem special arrangements permit Israel complete engineering project Demilit Zone. Dept deeply disturbed recent report from Gen Riley dated Jun 262 to effect Israel not complying fully certain aspects SO Res May 18.
- 1.
- Displaced Arabs Shaab who wish return Demil Zone shld be permitted do so forthwith and transportation to area shld be facilitated by Israel Govt. Res does not authorize Israel arbitrarily attach any conditions their return. MAC shld arrange for rehabilitation those returning. Dept also believes Israel Govt has primary responsibility contribute thereto. Arab homes destroyed by Israel shld be replaced by Israel.
- 2.
- Administrative situation Zone shld be restored to status quo ante including reduction and deployment Israel police forces accord Riley’s determination. Para 9 SC Res May 18 in conjunction with Art 5 wld appear define clearly status of Zone pending agreed revision Armistice Agreement. Any dispute this matter in MAC shld be capable settlement procedure Art 7 para 8. Do not believe Israel justified in claims that other Bunche letters have official bearing on case. Believe question of sovereignty not at issue while Armistice terms in force. Neither Israel nor Syria can justify unilateral action in Zone thru claim of sovereignty.
- 3.
- Dept notes with interest report that during MAC meeting Jun 20 the Syrians offered appoint special reps for discussion designed modify Armistice Agreement. Israel rejected this proposal and claimed wld stand by Armistice Agreement unless gen discussions cld be held covering [Page 740] all outstanding questions. While unaware reason why Israel shld not engage in limited discussion, Dept of view that Syria wld have much to gain and nothing lose by accepting Israel suggestion negotiate on all questions. Negotiations need not be called peace negots and arrangements reached thereunder need not be considered peace settlements but merely extension Armistice Agreement.
Dept understands Riley returning New York for consultation. Believe such consultation may be useful and shld be undertaken with members SC, particularly co-sponsors SC Res, as well as UN Secretariat. Dept continues support Riley handling situation between Syria and Israel and prepared act in accord his findings.
Dept believes rights of UN and Arabs in Zone must first be protected and assured before procedure can be explored to permit Israel engineering operations Arab-owned-land in Zone. Dept deplores apparent fact that both Israel and Syria use Arabs as pawns of national policy. Dept believes if Syrians guilty using pressure on Arabs in Zone to refuse compensation and thus endeavor hold up drainage works indefinitely, Syria wld be in as morally weak position as Israel if latter in fact bribing or coercing Shaab Arabs to prevent return to Zone. As stated by sponsors of SC Res it is believed SC wld be sympathetic to Israel plea for assistance carrying out drainage project but considers Israel shld first comply with findings UN SC and TSO. Possible that further efforts TSO bring about compliance with SC Res and thereafter consideration question SC may mean delay of month or six weeks in drainage operations. Dept does not consider this excessive and in light assurances SC re continuation project, Israel can well afford adopt patient attitude.
US expects consult co-sponsors re foregoing.
- Drafted by Mr. Waldo (NE); cleared by Mr. Bechhoefer (UNP); approved for transmission and signed for the Secretary by Mr. G. L. Jones (NE). Sent to Tel Aviv, London, Paris, New York, Amman, Beirut, Damascus, and Jerusalem (for Ambassador Palmer); sent by pouch to Ankara, Baghdad, Cairo, Jidda, The Hague, and Brussels.↩
- See U.N. Docs. S/2213 and S/2213/Add. 1.↩