684A.85/10–2853: Telegram
No. 712
The Chargé in Israel (Russell) to the Department of State1
priority
538. From Johnston. Johnston and I spent hour with Foreign Minister Sharett this morning at his residence Tel Aviv. Tone of discussion was friendly. Johnston sketched background US interest Jordan water plan and stressed US security interest in Middle East.
Essence of Foreign Minister’s comment was: (1) Argument for inclusion Litani River in Jordan water plan; (2) Political obstacles arising out of Arab unwillingness negotiate with Israel or participate in joint undertaking with her; and (3) Need for “more than persuasion” by US to compel Arab cooperation.
In reply, Johnston made clear: (1) That for many reasons Litani was outside the scope of present discussions; (2) That present political considerations make demand for direct negotiations untenable and obviate possibility of direct multilateral agreement between parties. As alternative he indicated unilateral declarations by the parties would be satisfactory as sole guarantees of acceptance of the principles contained in the TVA report with international or neutral regulatory authority to control distribution of water within the framework of the plan; (3) Degree of cooperation which US extends to other countries will depend on the degree of cooperation they extend to US.
Foreign Minister raised additional points such as: Defects of TVA plan, waters could be used better elsewhere; the waters of the Jordan could not be taken away from Israel without compensation, et cetera.
Johnston pointed out that waters of the Jordan River rise mainly in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Conceivable these countries could [Page 1392] prevent this flow into the Jordan. The mere fact that the Jordan River flowed for a short distance through Israel did not give it unqualified right to the entire stream. Johnston said no objection to Israel’s using her share outside Jordan watershed.
Comment: Foreign Minister’s objective in discussion appeared to be to accomplish one of two things: Either for the US to compel Arabs to sit down for negotiation with them or to put the blame for failure of plan on Arabs. The possibility that direct multilateral agreement would not be required or that outside body could regulate water distribution seemingly took them completely by surprise.
Scheduled meeting this afternoon was cancelled evidently to give time to consult the Prime Minister and regroup their thinking. Meeting again 10:30 tomorrow morning.
- Repeated to Amman, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, Jidda, Baghdad, and Jerusalem.↩