683.84A/7–1651: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Department of State 1
93. Re Syrian Israeli dispute: At UK instance Gen Riley met this afternoon with Jebb and staff (UK), Lacoste and Ordonneau (France), Ross and Maffitt (USUN) to discuss Syrian-Israeli dispute. Following para contains statements re Israeli compliance with May 18 res which Riley made in confidence. He emphasized he could not speak so freely at SC table.
There is nothing more he can do at present to obtain fuller implementation by Israel of May 18 res. Only part of res Israel has fully carried out is cessation of drainage operations on Arab-owned land. Less than ½ (357) of interned Arabs have been returned to zone: Those returned are concentrated at what was Baqquara and are not allowed by Israeli police to go out of town even to water and graze cattle; Israelis insist these Arabs have contact (purchases, etc.) only with Israel, in no case with Syria; at least 15 owners of lands within the seven acres have not been returned and perhaps 20 more may be still in Israel; of 153 mentioned in his report as not interviewed, Israelis themselves interviewed and returned 95. Regarding policing, Israel is in complete control of zone with police everywhere, 30 of which are concentrated at El Khouri farm with machine guns “to protect drainage workers”. Riley will submit his final report at end of this week. Key to Riley’s decision authorizing resumption of drainage operations on Israel-owned land was armistice agreement Article V and explanatory note which he interpreted as giving him power in agreement with Arab and Israeli communities (he considers Palestine Land Development Company a community for this purpose) to exercise certain powers.
Riley’s only suggestion for solution of problem now is that Syria and Israel must sit down together and negotiate it. It was generally felt by reps present that impasse over scope of negotiations was insurmountable at present.
Reducing problem to simplest terms, Riley gave opinion that Syria was using Arab lands involved in Huleh project as lever to force Israel to rectify border more in line with what Syria considers its security requires.
In his forthcoming report Riley can only state facts in connection with manner in which Israel complying or not complying with May 18 res. Key fact is that Israel fails to recognize it does not possess sovereignty over demilitarized zone.
[Page 774]In past week new element has arisen in form of “High Commissioner’s land.” This, he said, is land, ownership to which has not been established. Problem it presents now is that Palestine Land Development Company has just begun operations on bottom of Jordan River. Riley holds they have no right to work on this land without his permission and he is sending dispatch requesting work not be done on such land.
There was discussion of Jordan water problem. Riley said he needed experts to determine effect of project on Syrian and Jordanian irrigation. Jebb inquired whether SC might order investigation of effects by UN Commission of inquiry. Riley said Israel has fixed November 1951 as deadline for completion of project and investigation would take time. However, UNRWA is already in existence and might with assistance make investigation quickly. Blandford had told him such investigation would be great help to him, but he was not equipped to undertake it. Ross wondered whether project would affect rehabilitation of refugees. Riley replied affirmatively, and cited Yarmouk River which is part of resettlement plans and will be affected by project.
Summing up, Riley said answering Ross, that without question, if Israel continues its close grip on zone and its strict measures applied to returned Arabs, situation will be dangerously explosive. He may even have to send Arabs across line into Syria for their own protection and this might set off explosion.
Jebb outlined tentative council procedure if Huleh matter comes back to it (which all present agreed Syria would bring about when Riley’s report was in): That SC study Riley’s report, confirm May 18 res, and perhaps adopt res directing that investigation of water matter be made.
- Repeated to Tel Aviv and for information to Damascus, Beirut, and London.↩