684A.85/5–153: Telegram
No. 601
The Chargé in Israel (Russell) to the Department of State1
1688. I informed Director General Foreign Ministry Eytan yesterday of our views on proposal for high level talks on border problems (point 4, Department telegram 962).2 He voiced Israel Government’s warm support.
Re point 3, reference telegram Eytan categorically denied that MAC had been refused access to six wounded Israelis saying in fact no such request had been made. Gave assurances that if request made Israel will accede immediately.
While setting up three separate Jordan-Israel MACs (point 5 reference telegram) would not solve problem of infiltration it would:
- (1)
- Reduce delays due to clogging of MAC machinery;
- (2)
- Bring more observers into the field presumably closer to scene of incidents;
- (3)
- Demonstrate the UN far from taking seriously attempts to discredit MACs is determined support and strengthen them.
Decision would, of course, presuppose ability and willingness both parties spare competent personnel for MAC duty, and would be constructive contribution only if additional UN observers were carefully selected with eye to special problems in area. Plan might involve in addition to increase in number of UN observers, individual chairman for each new MAC.