683.84A/7–951: Telegram
The Ambassador in Israel (Davis) to the Department of State 1
14. Views set forth Deptel 12, July 6 were conveyed to FonMin this morning. In reply he stressed point that Israel entirely willing participate in formal or informal conversations of general character; objected only to conf limited to discussion demilitarized zone and matters already on MAC agenda. He emphasized Israel has not refused to discuss demilitarized zone as one of several subjects, but he feels that to agree to discuss the demilitarized zone alone wld indicate to Syrians either that Israelis willing to compromise on territorial question, which it is not, or that it is capable of undertaking conversations which it knows in advance can only be barren of useful result.
FonMin stated frankly he was fearful lest Dept thinking be that Israel shld yield to Syrian pressure to divided demilitarized zone as easiest way of settling vexing problem. He reiterated Israel unwilling make such concession for reasons reported Embtel 2 July 3. He thought moreover it would be positively harmful to prestige and authority of MAC to have representatives of respective FonOffs hold discussions limited to matters already on MAC agenda. Apparently Syrian Govt has been unwilling to have discussions on broader basis.
- Repeated for information to Amman, Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, Jidda, Jerusalem, London, Paris, and Ankara.↩