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

683.84A/1–1353: Telegram

No. 541
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Lebanon¹

secret
priority

Washington, January 14, 1953—5:09 p.m.

411. Re Damascus 482 Jan 13.² Department wishes leave no stone unturned to assure success, however limited, January 15 Israel-Syrian meeting on demilitarized zone problems. Department hopes that abortive results October 9 meeting together with charges and counter-charges concerning responsibility for failure, different terms of reference, uncompromising attitudes, etc. are avoided. In Embassies’ discretion, therefore, Tel Aviv and Damascus should express USG interest in success of talks, urge spirit of compromise and express need for settlement of demilitarized zone problems. If obtainable, Department would be most interested in terms of reference under which each side is entering discussions.³

Acheson

1. Repeated to Tel Aviv as 679 and to Amman, Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, and Jidda.
2. In telegram 482 from Damascus, Jan. 13, Ambassador Moose reported that Colonel Shishikli confirmed that Israeli agreement had been received for the renewal of talks with Syria on demilitarized zone problems, in abeyance since Oct 9. A new meeting was scheduled for Jan. 15. (683.84A/1–1353)
3. Ambassador Moose reported on Jan. 15 that Colonel Shishikli had expressed appreciation for the U.S. Government’s interest in a solution to the problems of the demilitarized zone and affirmed the sincerity of Syria in proposing division of the zone. Shishikli was reluctant to discuss the terms of reference of the Syrian members of the Mixed Armistice Commission; Moose reminded the Department that Shishikli’s views on division of the demilitarized zone had been reported in telegram 345 of Nov. 6. (Telegram 490 from Damascus, Jan. 15; 683.84A/1–1553)