357.AC/10–952: Telegram
No. 501
The Ambassador in Israel (Davis) to the Department of State
priority
572. For Dept only. Re Embtel 569.1 At luncheon today Amb Eban, who expects leave Israel tomorrow, commented with obvious satisfaction on increased interest PriMin and other high officials IG in making real effort achieve peace with neighbors. He referred to earlier convs we had on this and said there had been great improvement in prospect for genuine effort this direction. He mentioned mtg expected to take place today between reps IG and Syria but remarked that relations with Jordan were causing concern.
This afforded me opportunity to express hope that now rise wld be precipitated in dealings on eve convening GA. He expressed interest in Mt Scopus question and Gen Riley who was present gave him brief summary of sitn. Amb Eban remarked that he cld not afford have dispute over matter of this kind precipitated at present [Page 1028] and stated that he proposed to speak to PriMin Ben Gurion about it before he leaves. His opportune and able intervention at this level may serve to prevent crisis which is almost certain to develop if IG persists in refusal comply with requests chief of staff UNTSO re Scopus. On other hand Emb sees no reason why USG shld not agree to tripartite representation along lines contemplated by Brit Govt provided mtg with Fon Ministry rep tomorrow indicates such representations wld serve useful purpose.