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

611.80/9–354: Telegram

No. 884
The Ambassador in Jordan (Mallory) to the Department of State¹

top secret

Amman, September 3, 1954—1 p.m.

82. ReDepcirtel 125.² Department’s proposed note to Israel would appear desirable if it will reduce internal and external tensions. May be noted that US places itself in peculiar and possibly propaganda furnishing position of assuring Israel against Arab aggression while calling for no restraint on continued Israeli armed entry and killings in Arab territory. There is no assurance Communists will use it but we hand them a beautiful weapon.

Recommend release note to press on delivery order avoid probably widespread misinterpretation growing out possible hints, leaks or statements in Israeli press. Also recommend deletion sentence re arms assistance of Israel which would undo much of advance we have made with Arabs. It may well be interpreted as a commitment and will likely be so reflected here from Israeli press. Since there are repeated assurances in numbered points 3 and 4 reference telegram mention of arms appears unnecessary unless to show decision has been reached we will arm Israel.³

Mallory

1. Repeated to London, Tel Aviv, Jidda, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, and Baghdad.
2. Document 881.
3. Ambassador Caffery reported the same day that he found the Statement to Israel proposed in circular telegram 125 to be unobjectionable. “I suggest, however, Department, with Arab States in view, might reiterate in final paragraph the two-way nature of US assurance.” Caffery also recommended that, in view of the Arab attitude toward Turkey, direct Turkish association with the U.S. statement be avoided. (Telegram 299 from Cairo, Sept. 3, 3 p.m.; 611.80/9–354)