27. Telegram From Ambassador Eric Johnston to the Department of State1

837.Johnston 9. Following is verbatim text of tentative agreement of February 19 referred to Johnston 8:2

Begin verbatim text.

As a result of discussions between representatives of the Governments of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Egypt and of the Government [Page 67] of the United States, relative to the development of the Jordan River Valley, preliminary understanding has been achieved with respect to major elements of the proposed plan.

The purpose of this preliminary memorandum of understanding is to set forth points on which substantive agreement has been reached. It is understood that this formulation is not conclusive and that certain questions remain to be discussed and resolved at a later date.

Principles and elements of the proposed program upon which tentative agreement now exists are the following:

I. Storage

Water of the Jordan and Yarmuk Rivers will be stored and regulated (A) primarily through reservoir facilities to be constructed on the Yarmuk River and (B) through the operation of Lake Tiberias as a reservoir.

The importance to Syria and Jordan of the full utilization of the Yarmuk through the construction of a storage dam on the Yarmuk creating a reservoir with a capacity of up to 300MCM was recognized. In view of the relationship between storage and security for Arab crops and lands, Ambassador Johnston will recommend that the United States contribute $21,600,000 toward the cost of this dam. Flood waters exceeding the storage capacity of this reservoir and irrigation needs will be spilled into Lake Tiberias for release to the Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan.

Arrangements concerning the control of the waters shall in no way alter existing territorial rights and claims.

II. Supervision

A neutral body acceptable to all parties will be established to oversee withdrawals and releases of water. Details will be the subject of further discussion.

III. Division of the Waters

(a)
Of the requirements of the Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan, 537MCM of water annually will be withdrawn from the Jordan and Yarmuk Rivers. This is in addition to internal resources of wells, springs and wadies within the Kingdom of Jordan.
(b)
The requirements of Syria totalling 132MCM will be withdrawn from the river up to the following amounts—20MCM from the Banyas, 22MCM from the Jordan and 90MCM from the Yarmuk. Provisions will be made for the protection of established irrigation and power interests at Boteiha.
(c)
The requirements of Lebanon will be met through withdrawal of 35MCM annually from the Hasbani River.

It is understood that all quantities expressed above are based upon average annual supply as indicated by existing records of the discharges of the Yarmuk and Jordan Rivers, and may be subject to adjustment, depending upon hydrologic conditions of these 2 rivers.

End verbatim text.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.85322/2–2055. Confidential. Received at 9:35 a.m. Repeated to Amman, Damascus, Cairo, Tel Aviv, London, Paris, Baghdad, Brussels, and Ankara.
  2. Supra.