248. Telegram From the Consulate General at Jerusalem to the Department of State1
398. With reference incidents Consulate General telegram 397.2 General Burns has informed me of developments summarized herewith.
On afternoon April 5 Burns received letter from Sharett with request he call on Sharett at 1700 local time. Letter stated: “I write to ask you whether you can see any justification whatsoever for opening of machine gun and mortar fire by Egyptians from entrenched and fortified positions on a regular Israel patrol moving perfectly inoffensively on foot along its usual beat on the Israel side of the armistice line? You will be aware that this blatantly aggressive action yesterday cost us three young lives and that it was only by the use of artillery fire that we were able to extricate the surviving members of patrol from what had become a death trap. I should appreciate being informed as to what steps you contemplate taking in order to prevail upon Egypt to put an immediate end to this murderous and monstrously provocative behavior”.
[Page 480]During Burns’ call Sharett made these points: (1) Israel must reserve full freedom of action in self defense for security of settlements and for protection life its soldiers although she does not wish situation to deteriorate further. (2) Responsibility must be imputed directly to Egyptian Premier by UN for not issuing over-all ceasefire order, in absence of which Israel holds GOE, and especially its head, responsible for situation. (3) UN must warn GOE of grave consequences which may be result her behavior.
Burns informed Sharett that he would transmit gist of above to UN headquarters since he thought warning had best come from UNSYG. Sharett indicated that he wished warning to come from UN rather than from Israel. He said he had “approached no foreign diplomats” and pointed out that governments he usually approached about such matters seemed to have little influence in Cairo at the present time. Burns added that nevertheless he intended informing the local representatives of the three governments particularly interested in Sharett’s views as well as UN Headquarters.
In presenting above to UN Headquarters Burns stated that a serious situation now exists with respect Gaza area including exchanges artillery and mortar fire. He has requested both parties declare cease-fire from midnight April 5 if the cease-fire already requested by the MAC chairman should not have become effective before that time. Text of Burns’ call for cease-fire is in substance as follows: of utmost importance that situation along D/L be brought under control immediately and that firing across D/L be stopped. Unnecessary stress gravity situation which may develop unless parties exercise firmest control their troops. Unless efforts MAC chairman effective earlier Burns requests parties issue orders for complete cease-fire effective from midnight April 5 and insure their execution.3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/4–656. Confidential; Niact. Received at 12:28 a.m. Repeated priority to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Cairo, and Tel Aviv.↩
- Supra.↩
- In his next telegram, Cole
reported that the situation in the Gaza area had evolved as
follows:
“Firing in progress morning April 6 southeast of Gaza consisting Israeli mortar fire against Egyptian position. MAC Chairman has again called for cease-fire and Burns has been in contact with Eytan same purpose. Burns expressed fears firing may again become widespread unless appeals heeded without delay. He described situation in Gaza town as bad. Crowds have formed and their attitude is threatening. As result, observers unable investigate Egyptian reports of casualties said to total 42 killed and 102 wounded. Pending verification, Burns thought these figures should be viewed with reserve.” (Telegram 399 from Jerusalem, April 6; Department of State, Central Files, 674.84a/4–656)
↩