683.84A322/10–2953: Telegram
No. 717
The Ambassador in Syria (Moose) to the Department of State1
niact
173. Deptel 162 October 28, 1953.2 It is hoped SC resolution will help allay area tensions. With this in mind Department will note reference “Arab refusal negotiate with Israel” inapplicable here. Syrians have been negotiating with Israelis through MAC machinery since October 9, 1952 in effort remove sources friction arising from creation Demilitarized Zone. Negotiations broken off last May under circumstances casting doubt on Israeli good faith (Embtel 163 October 26 and references therein).2 Syrians look forward to resolution which will satisfy their complaint and provide basis securing Israeli compliance with existing armistice agreement.
In conversation reported Embtel 172 October 29 Shishakli appeared confident SC would rule against resumption work on Israeli diversion project. He strongly counseled against UNSC insistence on direct negotiations between Israel and Arab states for peace treaties (Embtel 163 October 26), asserting in present circumstances only effect such proposal would be to stir up Arab emotions.
As result USG action and Shishakli reaction thereto, believe prospects here now favorable to begin removing points friction between Syria and Israel eventually perhaps inducing GOS favorably consider regional water development proposals. These prospects will be diminished if SC passes one inclusive resolution re Qibya, Jordan waters, refugees and regional water development. In fact broadening text as suggested Deptel 162 include references refugees and water development will lessen impact here of provisions condemning recent Israeli aggressions and will increase impression UN merely Western tool compel Arabs make peace with Israel.
View foregoing suggest for Department’s consideration SC devote separate resolutions to Qibya and Jordan diversion affair and that latter resolution be confined: (1) Support Bennike’s decision work can not proceed in absence agreement between Israel and Syria; (2) recommendation parties work through UNTSO for elimination Demilitarized Zone and for other adjustments; and (3) provision for SC review question in 6 months to look into compliance. Privately [Page 1398] could then be made clear to parties renewed efforts not required through MAC reach agreement re de facto frontier which would leave way clear for subsequent consideration bilateral or possibly regional water problems. Such treatment would facilitate progress on the more soluble Palestine problems without requiring simultaneous advances on all.