683.84A/11–1252: Telegram
No. 514
The Ambassador in Syria (Moose) to the Department of State1
354. Embtel 345, Nov 6. Pursuing Shishikli suggestion reported in reftel I have discussed with Taxis possibility division Syro–Israeli [Page 1052] demilitarization zone. He confirmed that in May or June 1951 Syrian representatives had proposed division in MAC meeting and Israeli reps had refused to discuss better frontier arrangements except as part of peace treaty. Positions of both parties remained essentially unchanged through Oct 9 meeting where Taxis says Israeli reps were forbidden by their instructions to discuss division zone (para 1 Jerusalem Contel 40, Oct 11).2
Taxis believes that Dayan, Sharrett and Kollek favor discussing division with Syrians but that decision will be made by Ben Gurion who has hitherto demanded peace negotiations. Initiative is now with Israelis, and Taxis hopeful they will call MAC meeting before long to explore possibilities of division. Foregoing should be used with care to avoid prejudice to Taxis position in MAC.
The Dept may wish to point out to Eban and through him to Ben Gurion that Israel now has the opportunity for direct negotiation with Syria for which Eban indicated desire to Jernegan Oct 20 (page 3 of memo of conversation).
- Repeated to Tel Aviv, Amman, Ankara, Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Jerusalem, Jidda, Rome (for Unger), London, Moscow, and Tripoli.↩
- Not printed, but see footnote 2, Document 509.↩