357.AC/10–2953: Telegram
No. 718
The Secretary of
State to the United States
Mission at the United Nations
secret
Washington, October 30, 1953—7:14
p.m.
202. Re Palestine in SC, urtel 230, October 29. USUN might at its discretion indicate to Riad following are our views re points raised by him:
- 1.
- We believe it is desirable as nearly as possible to avoid any extended consideration of Egypt’s connection with matter of compliance with and enforcement of the General Armistice Agreements even though in our opinion Israel’s actions at El Auja were provocative and properly condemned by MAC. Any serious discussion of El Auja not only is likely to raise possible complex and unsolved questions like Israel’s civilian rights in Demilitarized Zone but most surely would be basis for Israelis raising entire matter of Egypt Suez blockade and its relations to SC resolution of September 1, 1951. We are not now sure that Israeli discussion of blockade can be avoided but we intend to give only passing comment to it if forced to say anything about blockade.
- 2.
- In view of fact that certain aspects of El Auja incident are presently before Egyptian-Israeli Special Committee on appeal it would seem best to leave matter there for time being. We do not believe that SC could or should rule on right of Israelis to establish Kibutz in Demilitarized Zone without extensive knowledge at its disposal to effect that Kibutz in fact did violate Demilitarized nature of Zone.
- 3.
- We do not now envisage any reference to El Auja in resolution we are presently considering.
- 4.
- We can not now make undertaking that we will have prior consultation with Arab delegations on resolution. We do intend however if possible to acquaint them as much in advance as possible of what 3 powers may have agreed upon regarding resolutions to be tabled.
Dulles