Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1955, Volume XIV

86. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Egypt¹

Washington,May 3, 1955—7:15 p.m.

1906. Secretary has approved approach to Nasser² along lines set forth minutes Russell–Shuckburgh meetings London except that no reference should be made at this time to proposal in section 12 of minutes of meeting Apr 25 11 am³ re northern triangles. Dept informing Brit Emb here. After coordinating with Stevenson and unless you or he see objections, you are authorized resume discussions with Nasser soon as practicable.

Re Embtel 1638⁴ representatives of IG at various times have said that as part of general settlement IG would be prepared create free port in Haifa and guarantee right of Jordan citizens and vehicles travel between Jordan and Haifa.Russell suggestion envisaged IG guaranteeing similar rights on road from El Auja to Hebron and from El Auja to Sdom (and projected road on east side Dead Sea).

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/5–355. Top Secret; Priority; Alpha; Limited Distribution. Drafted by Russell; cleared with Jernegan; and approved by Russell, who signed for Dulles. Repeated to London.
2. At a meeting on May 3, Secretary Dulles approved this approach to Nasser. No account of this session, however, has been found in Department of State files. According to Secretary Dulles’ Appointment Book, the meeting began at 11 a.m. and, in addition to the Secretary, those present were Allen,Russell,MacArthur,Hart,Jernegan, and Hare. (Princeton University Library, Dulles Papers)
3. Section 12 of the summary minutes of the meeting recorded that Russell and Shuckburgh had agreed that Byroade and Stevenson should attempt to secure Nasser’s agreement to the principle of the double triangle without initially indicating any particular triangle solutions. If Nasser expressed interest in the principle, they should explain the details of the proposal for a double triangle in the southern Negev; if this suggestion was unacceptable, they could tentatively and unofficially advance the concept of a broader triangle solution in the northern Negev. (Department of State,NEA Files: Lot 59 D 518, London Talks, late April 1955: Minutes of Meetings held 4/ 25–4/29, incl.)
4. Byroade on May 3 noted that Russell, in his session with Shuckburgh on April 25, had suggested that the “original proposals for Negev might be supplemented by Israel guaranteeing transit rights between Egypt and Jordan on the Beersheba–Hebron road and on another road to South.” (Ibid., Central Files, 684A.86/5–355)