684A.85/8–1551: Telegram
The Minister in Jordan (Drew) to the Department of State 1
58. Re Tel Aviv tel 138, Aug. 11.2 In conversation with PriMin Aug 15 he mentioned proposal of Israeli MAC del to discuss problem [Page 836] of Jordan waters. Jordan MAC del had referred matter to govt as outside competence of MAC. PriMin appeared impressed by Israeli action which he described as coinciding with Jordan’s desire to reach amicable settlement. He expressed hope that UN wld appoint neutral comm to study problem which he remarked as essentially technical.
I mentioned to PriMin interest of UNRWA in problem because of importance Jordan waters in settlement of refugees in Jordan valley. In event of discussion of appointment of neutral, technical body it occurs to me that UNRWA might sponsor study as it already maintains friendly relations with govts involved and recourse to UNRWA wld obviate creation of new internatl body.
- Repeated for information to Beirut, Damascus, Jerusalem, London, and Tel Aviv.↩
- Telegram 138 from Tel Aviv, August 11, not printed, stated in part that Embassy officers had been informed at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs that day that on or about August 1 the senior Israeli delegate on the Israel–Jordan Mixed Armistice Commission asked the senior Jordanian delegate to inform his government of Israel’s willingness to enter into agreements with Jordan for equitable regulation of the waters of the Jordan Rivers with Dagania (684A.85/8–1151).↩