110.11 DU/5–1953
No. 613
The Secretary of
State to the Israeli Prime Minister (Ben-Gurion)1
Subject:
- Paraphrase of Secretary Dulles’ Personal Message to Prime Minister Ben-Gurion
For security reasons the Embassy was unable to deliver the Secretary’s personal message to Prime Minister Ben-Gurion in the form in which it was received (Damascus reference telegram). An aide-mémoire containing the following paraphrase of the message was left with Foreign Minister Sharett May 18:
During our conversations you expressed your concern over the deterioration of border conditions between Israel and Jordan. You will recall that I shared that concern.
I have found in my talks in Jordan that Jordan officials are also concerned over this situation which all agree is both irritating and politically dangerous.
It is my feeling that the government of Jordan, as a means of reducing the tension, might welcome the reinstitution of the local commanders agreements.
I believe also that, at this particular stage and in view of their local scene, Jordan would prefer to have any meetings at that level rather than at higher levels of government.
[Page 1224]I would like to express the hope that you will consider seriously whether initiative by you at this time might not result in the reinstitution of these agreements to ease the situation on the border.
- The text of this personal message from the Secretary, as delivered on May 18 in an aide-mémoire to Foreign Minister Sharett, was sent to the Department by Tel Aviv on May 19 in despatch 1193. (110.1 DU/5–1953) The fact that the message was delivered was reported in telegram 1766 from Tel Aviv, May 19. (110.11 DU/5–1953)↩