152. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at the United Nations1
518. Hammarskjold at Department Feb. 29 in conversation with Secretary2 made following points:
- 1.
- While any overall real settlement of Palestine question not now possible certain steps toward settlement could be made. Based this on Nasser’s apparently helpful attitude toward possible specific steps now which would contribute in long run to agreement between Israel and Arab states.
- 2.
- Concerned but not unhopeful at Israelis … re border situation. Believed remedying border tension most urgent matter. Constructive steps could be taken. Convinced Ben Gurion will not, can not accept any substantial border change in peace settlement.
Secretary indicated importance we attached to UN’s responsibility for preserving peace in area. UN had been responsible for creation of Israel; had supervised truce and obtained GAAs; had set up PCC, [Page 282] TSO, and UNRWA. We were presently thinking how best UN could carry out its responsibilities and how US could assist through UN. Indicated our determination not to play political game so far as area concerned and to disabuse Arabs belief US would yield to political pressures on side of Israel. Pointed out that situation in area, however, might make it advisable to give some defensive arms to Israel.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/3–256. Secret. Drafted by Ludlow and approved by Bond who signed for Dulles. Also sent to London, Paris for Lodge, Cairo, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem; pouched to Amman, Damascus, Beirut, Baghdad, and Jidda.↩
- The memorandum of this conversation is not printed. (Ibid., NEA Files: Lot 59 D 518, Alpha—Memos, etc., Feb. 16 to March 31, 1956)↩