683.84A/5–1552: Telegram
No. 435
The Ambassador in Israel (Davis) to the Department of State1
1196. Re Embtel 1164, May 7. FonOff made arrangements for me to visit Chuleh regions last Sunday May 11 to see development project and visit other points of interest in neighborhood. Shmiel Bendor, director US division FonOff and Major Arie Friedlander, senior Israel delegate Ismac were present. Latter knew of my conversations with FonMin and apparently had been instructed to discuss project and related matters freely.
Apropos of Syrian desire to prevent damage to canals and crops at Bouteiha farm as result closing checking gates, Friedlander expressed view that Israel Govt wld be willing adopt schedule that wld obviate such damage but said he was “not optimistic” that this wld satisfy Syrians. He mentioned possibility of gate closure 5 hours each afternoon which wld permit work on project to continue [Page 932] at retarded rate but wld effectively prevent drying out of canals. He explained that it takes 3 1/2 hours for closing of gates to affect flow of water into canals and a considerably longer period for them to run dry. Hence closure of gates in early afternoon wld not affect water supply at Bouteiha farm late afternoon and canals wld not be exposed in daylight hours. His doubt that such arrangement wld be satis to Syria was based on recent assertion of owner of farm that water is needed for irrigation full 24 hours each day and any stoppage whatsoever wld result in damage. Friedlander said this extreme position does not seem reasonable and gives rise to suspicion owner may be encouraged to take extreme position as means obstructing development project. He said he hopes the Syrians are sincere in their alleged desire arrive at practical agreement to prevent damage as he feels confident such arrangement cld readily be made to mutual advantage both parties.
He explained chief obstacle at present to completion deepening of channel to point necessary in order drain Huleh Lake and swamp is rocky ledge just north of Daughters of Jacob Bridge.
In order remove rock in channel, it is necessary stop flow of Jordan long enough to bore holes in river bed and place dynamite charges for blasting. He estimates aprox 120 hours working time will be required to accomplish this purpose, which at the rate of 5 hours per day wld take 24 working days. Once this ledge is removed it is understood the remainder of deepening process wld be comparatively simple.
As to cultivation of land southeast Huleh Lake mentioned Damascus tel 649, May 5, he indicated Israel Govt disposed to recognize right of certain Arabs cultivate this land under original provisions of project concessions, but at same time they believe Syrian Govt shld honor another provision permitting Palestine Land Development Corp to utilize certain lands upon payment compensation. He had ref of course to 28 dunams land whose owners are prevented allegedly through intimidation from agreeing accept compensation for use of land in project. Friedlander remarked that some of owners of the 28 dunams in question are among those entitled to farm land east of Jordan and he hopes therefore some mutually satis settlement both problems can be worked out. It was quite obvious he had no idea Israel’s attitude this question was regarded as provocative by Syrian Govt. Emb comment fols in separate msg.
- Repeated to London, Paris, Ankara, Moscow, Rome, Tripoli, Amman, Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, Jidda, and Jerusalem (for Riley).↩