Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 1

680.84A/11–1152: Telegram

No. 512
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Israel¹

secret

Washington, November 11, 1952—10:47 a.m.

493. Deptel 456 Oct 31. Fol paras provide basis for replying orally to IG Note quoted reftel. Inform Dept in advance date reply to be made.

1. USG believes some progress toward conclusion of peace has been made during past year and is optimistic re possibilities for future. Evidence of this progress may be found in exchange of communications and mtgs of representatives of Israel and some Arab states, improvement in attitude of Israel leadership and increased Israeli interest in making peace with neighbors and becoming integrated in region, and the decrease in hostile statements toward Israel by certain Arab states.

2. USG is aware of difficulties to be overcome in creating atmosphere wherein normal conditions may be restored to Near East and is endeavoring to overcome difficulties.

3. USG has no info that indicates Arab states planning resume hostilities against Israel. On other hand, USG does have info which indicates Arab states generally fear Israeli aggression. Overcoming of these mutual fears wld contribute substantially to restoration of normal conditions in area.

4. Tripartite Declaration of May 25, 1950 continues to be basic tenet of US fon policy concerning Near East. This fact shld be deterrent to aggression in that area.

5. USG is not aware of “resumption of mil aid by Western Powers to certain Arab states”. However, shld USG furnish arms to any Near East state, it wld be primarily to enable that state to resist aggression from outside the Near East.

6. USG will continue to work toward estab of normal relations between Israel and Arab states. USG believes however that to condition aid on a “declared willingness of receiving govts to negot peace settlement with Israel” wld be most inappropriate.

To deny Arab states reasonable quantities of arms assistance wld not, in USG view, create climate which is neces prelude to US efforts to normalize conditions in NE.

7. USG wld deplore arms race between Near Eastern states and wld endeavor take precautionary measures against it.²

Bruce

1. Repeated to London, Paris, Ankara, Cairo, Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Baghdad, and Jidda.
2. Ambassador Davis reported that in a meeting with the Israeli Foreign Minister on Nov. 14 he replied orally in accordance with these instructions. (Telegram 788 from Tel Aviv, Nov. 14; 680.84A/11–1452)