95. Telegram From the Secretary of State to the Department of State1
Dulte 38. Eyes Only Acting Secretary from Secretary. I discussed Alpha with Macmillan this morning. I said principal difference in US and UK view was that UK believed Byroade should initially suggest on personal basis large northern triangle if Nasser rejected out of hand small southern triangle proposal. I said that we did not believe it was feasible at this juncture to broach northern triangle since while it did not lack intrinsic merit in terms of appeal to Arabs and while it would not really deprive Israel of any valuable territory it would on a map look like a serious dismemberment of Israel territory and would if it leaked have enormous and adverse psychological impact on Israel and world Jewry.
I said that I knew that Byroade and British felt southern triangle would not be acceptable basis for Nasser but I thought this was limit to which we could proceed in Byroade’s talks with Nasser which would probably take place in next week or so. I added that in first instance I did not think any plan we put forward would prove acceptable but at least we could see what Nasser’s reaction is and in light thereof decide whether or not it would be desirable to do something re northern triangle.
Macmillan agreed with me and said UK had thought Byroade might advance as personal suggestion northern triangle because of Nasser’s comments to Eden last February in Cairo when Nasser had indicated no small corridor through the Negev would be acceptable solution. However in light of my presentation he agreed Byroade should only broach southern triangle and we will keep northern triangle as possible card to be played later.
Macmillan then mentioned Sharett’s latest note to me2 and asked my reaction. I replied that I felt strongly that territorial guarantee was biggest carrot we had and that it would be folly to give this away until we had a general settlement agreed between Arabs and Israel. I explained that Arabs want protection against an expansionist Israel and Israel wants protection against Arab desire to push her into sea. Guarantee is therefore card to be played when there was general agreement on various aspects of Israel settlement which include water, Arab refugees, territorial adjustment, status of [Page 186] Jerusalem, etc. I concluded by saying that when I replied to Sharett I had in mind making it clear that we could not give guarantee in advance.Macmillan heartily approved.
- Source: Department of State,S/S–NEA Files: Lot 61 D 417, Alpha Volume 3. Top Secret; Alpha; Limit Distribution. Drafted by MacArthur and cleared with Merchant. Received at 6:56 p.m. Also sent to Cairo. (Telegram 1973;ibid., 684A.86/ 5–1355)↩
- See Document 87.↩