199. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State1
256. Embassy has understood GOE objection direct telephone communications (Jerusalem telegram 37,2 paragraph 2) to be based on same principle as that recognized by Burns as motivating GOE [Page 365] stand on meetings (Jerusalem telegram 37 paragraph 3) and often repeated in press, i.e., policy of avoiding direct contact with Israelis and desire maintain strong UNTSO with which GOE can cooperate to reduce tensions without risking charges of “softness toward Israel”.
Since GOE position appears firmly based on point of principle which Burns has in effect endorsed in accepting GOE position on meetings, Embassy doubts that GOE will be willing abandon it on issue telephone communications in exchange Israeli acceptance UNTSO participation in meetings. Embassy recognizes procedure proposed by GOE is somewhat cumbersome but we have impression that its adoption would not significantly affect operation of local commanders agreement. Furthermore, it must be realized that this principle of avoiding direct contact underlies Egyptian position on a great number of points—including joint patrols—which arise in implementation GAA. This being the case it would appear that acceptance this principle by all parties concerned would facilitate joint efforts reduce tension and in fact encourage Egyptians believe they can safely pursue course of expanding cooperation in Gaza area.
For these reasons Embassy believes “outside pressure on GOE” would be unproductive particularly since GOE rejoinder will almost certainly contrast GOE desire secure maximum UNTSO participation in implementing GAA with Israeli efforts, as summarized by Burns, “to reduce UNTSO authority”.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/8–1855. Confidential. Received at 3:31 p.m. Repeated to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, London, and Paris.↩
- Document 189.↩