784A.5 MSP/10–2853: Telegram
No. 713
The Secretary of
State to the Embassy in
Syria1
niact
163. Department expects Arab leaders to be disappointed over fact we have released some aid to Israel. We feel it important you be in position give them our thinking which is as follows:
Economic aid contemplated during this fiscal year for Israel computed solely upon basis what US considered essential from strictly economic point of view. US convinced certain amount assistance essential to Israel in order maintain stability inside Israel, absence of which could not be other than disruptive in ME. US was about to advance its first allocation of this fiscal year to Israel when diversion project begun. Our act in withholding aid to Israel was based solely upon our desire back up UN machinery in the field. This drastic action unparalleled in US aid programs considered necessary support authority UN machinery particularly in view dangerous situation Palestine area. Removal of ban had never been tied to conditions other than conformity with UN machinery on this specific point. By the act of Israel yesterday she is now in conformity with UN on this matter. Since Israel now in step present object lesson completed and should have salutary effect. Attachment further conditions not only not warranted but might start chain of [Page 1393] precedents calling for interruption US aid in number of parts of world.
Some criticism has arisen here that we cut off aid to Israel for UN violation while many other nations are continually in violation UN decisions. The answer to this point is that we were backing the UN machinery in a local situation where it appeared without such backing a real threat to the peace would develop.
FYI If Israel fails implement the promise to cease work or later shows unwilling comply with UN-SC decision on this project, new situation will have been created which we can face on merits at that time.
Secretary today announced programs for economic aid to other states Near East are in advance state formulation and that it is expected some of them can shortly be announced. You should make clear if necessary that economic aid to other states of Near East has not been held up to keep step with suspension grant aid to Israel.
Syrian Ambassador has been given above explanation which he appeared understand had merits. He thought it most important Ambassador Moose explain US philosophy in Damascus at earliest opportunity.
Other recipients can make appropriate use of foregoing. The Secretary’s statement being wired separately contains other useful information.
- Repeated to Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Jidda, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem.↩