22. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel1
456. For Ambassador. Please convey personally and orally to Prime Minister following message from Secretary:
Begin Message—Some time has passed since, upon Ambassador Eban’s telling me of your concern over Israel’s sense of isolation and insecurity, I asked him to inform you of my sympathetic awareness of that problem and my intention to give it my careful study. I am sending you this message so that you may know that the problem has had my continuing personal attention and that we are making good progress in formulating the possibilities of appropriate and effective steps which the United States might take. I need not emphasize to you the many questions which arise in the course of such an analysis and the study and discussions which are required. In view of the constitutional requirements involved in a foreign policy dealing with long term American security commitments and the attention which must be given to the interests of all countries, which, if we are to have success, would be involved, any solution to this problem is, of necessity, a time consuming process.
Nor need I stress, I am sure, how essential it is that the approach to this problem take place in a period of relative calm. The policy of moderation which you have been pursuing has been, and [Page 56] will continue to be, most helpful to us. Progress in the present discussions on a Unified Jordan Valley Plan will also be of great importance.
You may rest assured that I will communicate with you on a more concrete and detailed basis just as soon as progress on the problem permits.End Message
Impress upon Sharett necessity of holding this message and fact it was sent in strictest confidence.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/2–1455. Secret; Alpha; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Jernegan and approved and signed by Dulles.↩