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

684A.86/3–1754: Telegram

No. 774
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Israel¹

confidential

Washington, March 17, 1954—7:40 p.m.

654. Syrian Embassy yesterday and Lebanese Embassy today have told Department their governments have information indicating Israeli military build-up near frontiers. They have further cited asserted increase in frontier incidents as evidence tending to show possible Israeli aggression intentions. State tension is increasing.

On other side, Israeli Embassy today asserted recent incidents on Egyptian, Jordanian and Syrian frontiers indicate possible Arab aggressive spirit. As supporting evidence Embassy stated Arab representatives on MACs have recently adopted unusually stiff attitude.

Department has replied informally that it has no evidence to support fears that either side plans aggressive action and specifically that it is unaware any Israeli military build-up.

Request your views as to whether there is any foundation for mutually expressed fears.

Dulles

1. Sent also to Beirut as telegram 1045, Damascus as 380, Amman as 364, and Cairo as 1104; sent by pouch to Baghdad and Jidda.