109. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Jordan1
504. Eyes only Ambassadors. Israel ambassadors to Washington, London and Paris2 currently conferring Jlem with FonOff and Cabinet. Presumption is they have been considering IG policy and strategy in light of info that US and UK giving serious consideration possible settlement Israel-Arab issues (though indications are they have no info re nature our proposals).
Dept does not yet know what decisions they may have reached but we must consider strong possibility IG may within next week or two make public statement that time has come for settlement Israel-Arab issues and lay down its own suggestions re elements of settlement. Such IG statement would of course seriously damage ability US and UK influence Arabs move toward settlement as we would appear be acting on IG initiative. US–UK might endeavor dissuade IG from such a step but case would at best be doubtful.
As you know, US and UK convinced present offers most favorable circumstances Arabs will have for some time to enter into negots for settlement principal issues, and US–UK prepared offer substantial contributions. Assuming no possibility of chief of state to which you are accredited making early statement pointing toward possibility of settlement (so that idea would have best chance Arab support), would appreciate your comment on possible US–UK statement within next few weeks that time has come when settlement should be possible and indicating in general terms what US and UK willing contribute make settlement possible. We had hoped be able make initial confidential informal exploratory approaches to Arab leaders but appropriate opportunity has not [been] offered. We may therefore face alternatives of IG statement or one by US–UK.
[Page 210]Pls comment soonest.3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/5–2855. Top Secret; Priority; Alpha; Limited Distribution. Drafted by Russell; cleared with Jernegan,Allen, and Murphy; and approved by Hoover. Also sent priority to Beirut, Cairo, London, and Tel Aviv.↩
- Abba Eban, Eliahu Elath, and Jabob Tsur, respectively.↩
- Ambassadors Mallory,Heath, and Byroade, as well as officials of the British Foreign Office, favored delaying any U.S.-British public statement. (Telegram 424 from Amman, May 31; Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/5–3155; telegram 1252 from Beirut, May 30;ibid., 684A.86/5–3055; telegram 1806 from Cairo, May 30;ibid.; and telegram 5222 from London, May 30; ibid.) Ambassador Lawson reported that he had no evidence to indicate that the Israelis were contemplating a dramatic public statement, but he felt the Department should take into account the deterioration in Egyptian-Israeli relations before making a U.S.-British announcement. (Telegram 1004 from Tel Aviv, May 31;ibid., 684A.86/5–3155)↩