Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, The Near East and Africa, Volume V

683.84A/7–651: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Israel ¹

secret

Washington, July 6, 1951—7 p. m.

12. Dept believes Israel shld not cast aside lightly informal suggestion Syrian Rep Israel-Syrian Mixed Armistice Comm mtg June 20 that potentialities exist in meeting reps Syria and Israel FonOffs to discuss problems Demil Zone and to seek modus vivendi. Notwithstanding Israel view expressed Embtel 928 June 28² and Embtel 2 July 3,³ Dept of opinion Israel wld have nothing to lose by holding such discussions. Since beginning, Arabs, with exception Jordan Govt, have adamantly refused direct negots either formally or informally with Israel. Syrian move is therefore new development which shld be welcomed by Israel as possibly significant step towards objective long sought by Israel. Dept believes that with or without comprehensive agenda, it wld still be possible for Israel to explore questions outstanding Syria Israel. Israel wld be well advised to discuss with Syrians their views terr solution Demil Zone since agreed settlement some aspects this problem might pave way solutions other questions. Even if no settlement reached, Dept believes discussions might have merit clarifying for both sides issues involved. World public opinion obviously attaches certain onus to the side in a dispute unwilling to discuss issues Which are potential peace threat. Dept hopes Israel FonMin will not persist rigid views expressed reftel.

Acheson

1. Drafted by Messrs. G. L. Jones and Waldo (NEA); cleared with UNP; transmission authorized by Mr. Kopper. Repeated for information to Damascus, Amman, Beirut, Cairo, London, Paris, Jerusalem, Ankara, Baghdad, and Jidda.
2. Ante, p. 737.
3. Ante, p. 742.