357.AC/12–1251: Telegram
The Ambassador in Israel (Davis) to the Department of State 1
573. Deptel 420, Dec. 8.2 During conversation between officer Emb and acting chief US div FonOff3 yesterday, latter expressed views paralleling those of Eban that no new machinery shld be established to replace PCC if latter abolished, and saw no need for any PCC functions being assigned TSO or UNRWA.
FonOff rep was of view problems Israel-Arab relations may be grouped into three categories, (1) security (2) refugees (3) relations between sovereign states. First is in province TSO and SC, while UNRWA is proper organ deal with second. This is not a matter of internatl concern at present, unpleasant as relations may be, they involve no internatl crisis, and SC always available. He also felt that what was needed was a more favorable atmosphere and psychology on part Arab states; that if they were genuinely interested in improved relations and wanted to talk with Israelis, there were always ways of doing so, e.g., under armistice agreements, without formality of publicity which might embarrass any favorable moves. Said that he thought period “in which dust might settle” was not needed.
In reply to inquiry, FonOff rep indicated he presently saw no hopeful signs looking toward peace settlements; characterized present situation ME as fluid, and might turn for better in 2 or 3 years or as many decades, when Arabs came to recognize fact of Israel’s existence. While [Page 962] opinion not crystallized, he anticipated no softening of Syria’s attitude under Shishikli, who he characterized as apparently “another man on horse back”.