684A.85/1–2753: Telegram
No. 550
The Ambassador in Israel (Davis) to the Department of State1
priority
1200. Deptel 702,2 Embtel 1184.3 In conversation with Foreign Minister yesterday afternoon I referred to press story his report to Cabinet on deterioration relations with Jordan and inquired whether he had anything he wished to tell me. He replied he had informed Cabinet that he intended speak to both the American and British Ambassadors on subject. He made point that he does not regard Israeli Government as having denounced local commander’s agreement asserted it had become “inoperative” because of failures to act in accordance with its stipulations. He said that circumstances which had “added fuel to fire” had now been cleared up by the return of members Israel Armed Forces.
Sharett said Israel Government representative saw Vigier of UNTSO Saturday night4 and expressed desire for meeting to endeavor normalize border situation. Foreign Minister commented on worsening border relations, which he attributed to several factors including what he described as “deterioration in watchfulness of Legion”, utilization on frontier of national guard which tends to get out of hand and participate in raids or profits from them, and indifference of “Palestine element” among higher officials. He contrasted latter with Jordanians, who he said had shown greater sense of responsibility.
He stressed seriousness of infiltration problem saying reported cases of theft actually perpetrated in Jordan sector of frontier during calendar year 1952 numbered 952 cases as compared with 415 in Egyptian sector and 17 and 11 on Lebanon and Syrian frontiers respectively. He added that 13 persons had been murdered in the Jordan sector as compared with none in the other three sectors. These did not include guards and military personnel of whom 53 were killed and 56 wounded in clashes with infiltrators. He said that despite fact Jordan frontier longer he still thought figures disproportionate. He estimated loss due to damage and theft at about 1 million pounds, of which the principal items were cattle to the value of 400,000 pounds, some 2,000 meters of irrigation pipe and [Page 1107] pump engines valued at over 200,000 pounds and some 13 kilometers of copper wire much of which would be difficult to replace or could only be replaced after considerable delay. He commented that the cattle stolen for the most part were valuable pedigreed stock which could scarcely be sold on the Jordan market without attracting official attention, and that the same would be true of such valuable equipment as irrigation pipe, electric motors and copper wire in large quantities.
Sharett did not make any reference to subject of two numbered points in reference Deptel nor did he voice any complaint about General De Ridder or the proceedings of the MAC. He said he was not ready to accuse the Jordan Government of a deliberate policy of stepping up infiltration, but expressed a strong desire to see the present deterioration in relations rectified.
Comment: Both Israel Government and IDF taking serious view of infiltration problem and would prefer diminution present tension on Israel–Jordan border. Am informed that Israel has asked Vigier to seek meeting between General Dayan and Colonel Jundi of Arab Legion in hope latter will be convinced of importance to both sides of tighter Jordan control of infiltrators. Statement by Colonel Gaon that Israel must “prepare to take active defense” believed to indicate that situation on Israel–Jordan border has once more played into the hands of the “treat ’em rough” school of thought and that there is danger of facts of reprisal which can be very damaging in their consequences. In reply to direct query concerning Israel’s present attitude toward reprisals, Foreign Ministry spokesman described them as “last resort when they are only means of handling situation”. End comment.