784A.13/6–2052
No. 450
Memorandum of Conversation, by the
Officer in Charge of Palestine-Israel-Jordan Affairs (Waller)
Subject:
- Visit of Israel Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett.
Participants:
- Mr. Moshe Sharett, Israel Foreign Minister
- Ambassador of Israel, Abba Eban
- NEA—Mr. Byroade
- NE—Mr. Hart
- NE—Mr. Dorsey
- NE—Mr. Waller
During a conversation with Foreign Minister Sharett regarding Israel’s financial difficulties, Mr. Byroade asked Mr. Sharett whether a meeting could not be arranged between Colonel Shishikli of Syria and General Yadin of Israel to discuss problems of interest to the two countries. Mr. Sharett asked whether any purpose would be served and whether Col. Shishikli wants a meeting. Mr. Byroade said he could not answer for Col. Shishikli but that he felt it would be worth while trying to arrange such a meeting. He continued by saying that there is a feeling in the Arab states that Israel does not want peace. Mr. Sharett replied that the Arabs have never put it to a test. Instead, they spread rumors which tend to create suspicion about Israel’s desires. Mr. Byroade said that it must be remembered that some of the Arab states are not strong enough to make peace by themselves. Mr. Sharett answered that if the Arab states cannot make peace all at once, then Israel would be glad to take it a little at a time. The fact is, he continued, the Arabs will not take one step outside the Arab League. Egypt, for example, said Mr. Sharett, knows Israel wants peace. Israel had had means to get the information to the Egytian Government. The Egyptian reply has always been that the time is not right. Mr. Sharett said that Israel has offered full discussion, partial discussion, or any kind of discussion desired, with no results.
[Page 951]Mr. Byroade suggested that Syria might be more important now than heretofore in the Arab world, and inferred that Israel might profitably start peace feelers with Syria. Mr. Sharett replied that he attached importance to what Mr. Byroade said and that Israel would investigate and perhaps have an answer in the near future.
With regard to incidents along Israel’s borders, Mr. Byroade said that he believed Israel’s policy of retaliation was self-defeating, since it causes the Army to acquire an attitude of taking several lives for one. Mr. Sharett said that that was a situation common to all countries but that he personally had always counseled restraint. Mr. Byroade said he saw no evidence that any Arab state was doing anything to renew the war with Israel. Mr. Sharett asked whether Mr. Byroade had spoken to Prime Minister Ben-Gurion along these lines. Mr. Byroade said that he had and had also spoken of the future, particularly the effect on youth of the Iron Curtain atmosphere which prevails along Israel’s borders. Mr. Sharett said he had spent two years of his life in an Arab village and he not only likes them but he knows them well. He regretted the present lack of normal relations with the Arab states.
Mr. Byroade said he enjoyed talking with Mr. Sharett and hoped that before Mr. Sharett returned to Israel he would have another opportunity to see him at a time when he was somewhat less occupied than at the moment.