McGhee Files: Lot 53 D 468
The Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (McGhee) to the Ambassador in Israel (Davis)1
Dear Monnett: I want to express personally my appreciation for the outstanding telegrams which you have sent in recently. When we have a vexing problem to worry about it seems that you anticipate it and provide unusually timely and helpful comment.
As you know, we have been faced with the problem of being urged to send a message to the World Zionist Congress in Jerusalem. However, [Page 826] we believe, as you do, that for the President to send a message to this organization in Jerusalem would be politically disastrous. Our thought that you send a short note to Mr. Browdy was a suggestion which we believed might satisfy the American Zionists in lieu of a message from the President. We are, however, in full accord with your excellent message no. 198 of August 7,2 a copy of which, you might be interested to know, the White House requested for use in countering the arguments for such a message.
Regarding the Huleh, we hope Riley will get back to his post as soon as possible. I know you have seen by now the Department’s telegram no. 120 of August 83 to this effect, and we agree fully with you regarding the desirability of a “bill of particulars” which you might use in discussions with the Israelis as suggested in your message no. 111.4 We have some additional information here, given us in confidence by the General, consisting of an exchange of letters between himself and Sharett, and we shall get them to you as soon as possible. It would also be helpful if you would telegraph to us Riley’s “bill of particulars” as soon as you receive it from him. Unfortunately, I am afraid we are not out of the woods so far as the Huleh situation is concerned.
As for the Suez issue, I think the Israelis are wrong in claiming that we have been dragging our feet. We have agreed to cosponsor the resolution and to speak against the restrictions as inconsistent with the spirit and intent of the Armistice Agreement. The difficulty is that the Israelis set down a line of policy which they believe is the only right one to follow. If we differ with them, there are the usual complaints. At the moment the next SC meeting is scheduled for August 16, and it is probable that a resolution will be adopted at that time if Egypt has not voluntarily withdrawn the restrictions before them. It is impossible to guarantee what final action will be taken by the SC, however, since a number of the Council members have doubts about the case.
Regarding the Mutual Security Program, it is interesting to note that the Israelis and the American Jewish Community appear to have “bought” our policy of impartiality. The argument now is, of course, that, while there is no objection to giving the same amount of money to the Arabs as to Israel, it is necessary to increase the sum proposed for Israel in the MSP. We believe, however, that Title 2 of the Aid Bill will pass without any great modification. It is even possible at the moment that the funds for the Arab refugees will be increased to provide for reintegration expenditures in subsequent fiscal years. That is what we had hoped for initially, but the Bureau of the Budget ruled it out.
[Page 827]I hope you enjoyed your trip to Beirut. I am sure you found that city a pleasant change and relaxation after your arduous duties in Tel Aviv. We feel that the idea of exchanges of visits between the Arab countries and Israel is worth pursuing, not only because such visits give Chiefs of Mission and their subordinates an opportunity to consult, but at the same time they permit them to acquire impressions of life on the other side of the Armistice Lines.
I hope you will have an opportunity to have a long talk with Teddy Kollek while he is in Israel. He had a very interesting conversation with Lewis Jones before he left, a memorandum of which you will receive shortly.5
I congratulate you on an excellent job of reporting and representation. It makes our problems vastly more simple here to know that Tel Aviv is in such sound and able hands.
With warmest regards,
Sincerely yours,