784A.5 MSP/2–2752: Telegram
No. 405
The Ambassador in Israel (Davis) to the Department of State
1
881. Enlarging on info from FonMin (Embtel 880, February 27) that GOI has recd indication of Jordanian interest in possible modification Arab attitude toward Israel, Michael Comay, Acting DirGen FonOff gave me fol details which he requested we treat as confidential for obvious reasons. He identified Jordanian source as Ahmed Touqan Jordan’s rep on MAC saying latter had expressed desire have informal talk with S Divon, Acting Dir ME Div Israel FonOff who met him in Jerusalem Monday February 25 for that purpose.
According to Comay, Touqan indicated that PriMin Abulhuda had expressed interest in possibility of some change in attitude of [Page 899] Arab League toward Israel and thought matter might come up at meeting scheduled for latter part March. His interest was based on (1) more moderate tone noted in recent Egyptian pronouncements relating to Israel, and (2) fact that publicity in this sense in Jordan had elicited no expression of public disapproval.
Comay stated further that rep Leb Govt had expressed interest in having conversation with Makleff, who until recently was deputy chief of staff. Since latter now England Major Gen. Yadin, chief of staff, replied he wld be glad take part in conversations personally. His offer was accepted and mtg has been arranged for tomorrow, Thursday February 28 at Rea En Nakoura. Comay said there was nothing very definite about either of these developments but he thought US Govt wld be interested nevertheless.
- Repeated to Paris, London, Ankara, Beirut, Damascus, Amman, Cairo, Baghdad, and Jerusalem.↩