456. Telegram From the Consulate General at Jerusalem to the Department of State1
188. During conversation at social gathering yesterday General Burns expressed himself as somewhat worried over possibility renewed Israeli attacks, presumably against Egyptian forces.
Referring his interview with Ben Gurion Sunday afternoon (Contel 1842)Burns said Ben Gurion of course well aware then of impending attack on Syrian positions same night. He added that Ben Gurion insisted on seeing him Sunday on short notice to discuss his visit Cairo, which Burns had expected take up with Eytan following day. While Burns then somewhat puzzled at urgency Ben Gurion’s wish see him, he now assumes latter wanted information about Egyptian attitude prior commencement operation against Syrians.Burns speculated that Ben Gurion probably had some idea in mind of calling off the attack if he could have reported Egyptian acceptance United Nations proposals or indication they likely accept near future. . . .
Other factors adding Burns concern future prospects are series Israeli charges about “wave Egyptian aggressions” and article December 13Jerusalem Post by “diplomatic correspondent” which refers Sunday night’s attack and states inter alia Egyptian-Syrian Defense [Page 860] Pact may now appear “to some Syrians as an added danger rather than a protective device”.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/12–1455. Confidential. Received at 12:04 p.m. Repeated to Cairo, Damascus, London, Paris, Tel Aviv, and Amman.↩
- Dated December 12, in it,Cole reported that Burns had told him about his visit to Cairo and summarized his conversation with Ben Gurion the previous day. (Ibid.)↩