184. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Jordan1
491. US, UK and Italian representatives on Ambassadorial Committee indicated on March 6 that decision to ship Mysteres was one for France to make.2 Each representative expressed opinions indicating proposed shipment had neither been approved nor disapproved.
French representative said he would report to his Government views expressed at meeting and thought he could say to his Government that no objections were raised to shipment. He noted administrative aspects (i.e., US approval of interruption offshore procurement program) of case were settled.
French Embassy has had no comment from Paris but anticipates decision following Pineau’s return from Karachi about March 12. If French then decide to ship, as seems likely, Dept anticipates there will be leaks to press indicating shipment made with approval of US and UK.
We hope public and press in Arab states will not take it as shipment of US arms to Israel. Nevertheless there remains likelihood it will be so regarded and that public demonstrations against Americans [Page 340] and American property would follow. Dept believes next week or ten days will be crucial period during which you should take special precautions. You should in your discretion discuss with Americans but such discussions should be most discreet and no publicity given to them at this stage.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 784A.56/3–1056. Secret. Drafted by Wilkins and Hoffacker and approved by Wilkins who signed for Hoover. Also sent to Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, Jidda, and Tripoli. Repeated to London, Paris, and to Tel Aviv.↩
- The memorandum of this conversation is not printed. (Ibid., 784a.56/3–656)↩