Office of the Historian

268. Telegram From the Consulate General at Jerusalem to the Department of State1

Jerusalem, April 10, 1956—5 p.m.

409. UNTSO has apprised me of message which now being sent from Hammarskjold to Fawsi for Nasser with reference Fawsi message to Burns of April 10. (ConGentel 4082) Paraphrase follows.

UNSYG message refers Burns communications to Fawsi April 6 regarding Fedayeen (ConGentel 4033) and April 8 re Ben Gurion’s proposed “cease-fire” (ConGentel 4044). In addition UNSYG refers to a personal message which he sent to Nasser on April 9 endorsing Burns stand in requesting strict compliance with Article II paragraph 2 GAA in its entirety and to his further message indicating that he would reach Cairo night of April 10. UNSYG then expressed disappointment at contents Fawsi reply of April 10 to Burns, pointing out that it should be obvious his talks with GOE—which he is undertaking on basis mandate of Security Council—could not be conducted with the necessary basis lacking an assurance by the parties that they would observe provisions GAA as just cited.

UNSYG message continues to effect that such an assurance as mentioned in preceding paragraph is a necessary pre-condition for his mission. If GOE will not give it UNSYG states that he would have to reconsider his present loan to enter into discussions with GOE in implementation SC resolution.5 He therefore expresses hope that upon arrival Cairo he will receive assurance in question. He also voices confidence that Egyptian Prime Minister comprehends gravity of foregoing representations and will extend needed cooperation.6

Cole
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/4–1056. Confidential; Niact. Received at 3:20 p.m. Repeated niact to Cairo and priority to Amman, Beirut, Baghdad, Damascus, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv.↩
  2. Document 266.↩
  3. See footnote 2, Document 256.↩
  4. Document 256.↩
  5. See Document 206.↩
  6. The Mission at the United Nations transmitted the text of Hammarskjold’s letter of April 10 to the Department in telegram 837, April 11. (Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/4–1156)↩