683.84A/7–2052: Telegram
No. 458
The Ambassador in Israel (Davis) to the Department of State1
priority
105. Comment on Embtels 952 and 100.3 Emb considers recent events such as fol represent definite setback to attempts improve conditions NE and add up to serious deterioration Israel-Arab rels:
- (1)
- Failure Jordan cabinet approve Touqan–Ramati agreement re Latrun even though agreement within framework armistice and held unquestioned benefits for both parties, including opportunity Arab peasants regain farms. Reason for failure apparently Arab policy that no settlement shld be made with Israel.
- (2)
- Reported public statements Jordan PriMin that he had never negotiated and wld never negotiate such agreements with Israel (apparently advantages to Jordan population and to region not considered relevant).
- (3)
- Meeting Damascus of reps armistice commissions four Arab states, with attendant publicity just prior scheduled Israel-Syrian “high level” meeting and reported announcement that chiefs of staff these Arab states to meet Alexandria in Aug, all of which had provocative effect both sides.
- (4)
- Repeated postponements “high level” meeting between Israel and Syria with publicity reported Syrian demands on Israel contemplated make it more difficult for both sides reach agreement (Embtel 71).4
- (5)
- Increase in border incidents after Touqan’s resignation, influenced it is understood by inability obtain Jordan Govt support for Latrun and other decisions. Most serious thus far is recent murder five Israel watchmen Negev Copper Mine (reftels and Jerusalem Contel 9 to Dept).4
- (6)
- Climax to unfavorable polit trend, statements attributed to Arab League spokesman just published to effect that Israel may try to take over all Jerusalem, that Arabs advised seek solution Palestine problem without further ref to UN, that Arab refugees shld concentrate within Jordan controlled Palestine or in other areas close to Israel border, and that “not single Arab country thinks of concluding peace treaty with Israel.”
Despite obvious advantages of liquidating Arab-Israel conflict, we in other west countries have been singularly unsuccessful in persuading any NE country to move toward settlement. Even Israel is giving prior attention to other interests it considers more pressing; [Page 965] and those Arabs who oppose any settlements or even negots with Israel seem to be having it all their own way. In the meantime this conflict stands as the chief obstacle to our major policy interests, to say nothing of the welfare of whole population of NE.
Since sitn cannot be expected remain static Emb fears that unless west powers take more positive line throughout NE area, negative attitudes plus continued frustration any constructive efforts may well lead to developments which will confront powers with necessity and under tripartite declaration.