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

684A.85/1–3053: Telegram

No. 552
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Israel¹

confidential

Washington, January 30, 1953—7:21 p.m.

726. Re Amman’s 605 and 611; Jerusalem’s 90 and 91.² Israel and Jordan representatives (Goitein and Haikal) were called to Department and given information at present available re Jordan-Israel boundary situation. They were advised of grave concern with which Department views deterioration in relations and hopes that both governments would take immediate steps to control movements its own citizens so as to eliminate infiltration into each other’s territory. Israel representatives informed that Department was shocked by report of military action against Jordan villages. Jordan representative was informed that we hoped Jordan would respect established procedure for registering any complaints through MAC. Both were informed Department would greatly regret any repetition of such action.

Embassies Amman and Tel Aviv should promptly bring foregoing to attention of Jordan and Israel governments.

British and French representatives informed re general background and Department’s action.

Matthews

1. Repeated to Amman, Jerusalem, London, Paris, and Ankara.
2. All four telegrams are dated Jan. 29 and deal with the Israeli attacks on the Jordanian village of Falama on Jan. 23 and 29. (684A.85/1–2953)