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

885.211/9–1453: Telegram

No. 666
The Chargé in Syria (Geren) to the Department of State¹

secret
priority

Damascus, September 14, 1953—7 p.m.

90. Deptel 98 September 14.²

1. Plan regional allocation Jordan waters may encounter additional opposition here if it first made public issue through Secretary General UN. Syrians not aware implications desk study as Israelis apparently are. Danger exists they might reject plan before it is understood. Preferable for Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Israel learn details privately, presumably from US Missions in area.

2. Joint use of Jordan waters requires a territorial settlement of demilitarized zone. ISMAC talks since October 1952 have not resulted settlement this chronic source of tension. Shishakli informed Ambassador Moose 1953 definitive agreement re Jordan waters must await permanent settlement. GOS might agree, however, discuss proposed plan if it first made clear in private discussions that territorial arrangements also included; as for example, extension Syrian sovereignty to middle Jordan River and Lakes Huleh and Tiberias. Joint use would then be paralleled by joint control.

3. Jordan-Yarmuk project will please neither Israelis or Arabs. Both likely be more tractable if evident USG intends enforce plan. Otherwise, present unsatisfactory course of encouraging bilateral negotiations should be continued.

Geren

1. Repeated to Tel Aviv, Amman, Beirut, Jidda, Cairo, Baghdad, and London.
2. Printed as telegram 207 to Tel Aviv, Document 664.