Office of the Historian

269. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in France1

Washington, April 10, 1956—3:47 p.m.

3747. On March 28 we advised Israeli Ambassador here that his Government should look to its normal suppliers for primary source military equipment.2 Israelis have subsequently reported that French authorities are prepared to sell them twelve additional Mystere IV’s but hesitate to approach US Government in view of long delay and complications which resulted in previous case. Israelis also report little or no progress in Ottawa, Rome, or London regarding their efforts purchase arms despite position we took March 28.

With reference to twelve additional Mysteres Embassy Paris is authorized to inform French authorities US is prepared to concur in their sale to Israel under similar terms to initial transaction.3

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 784A.56/4–1056. Secret. Drafted and approved by Allen who signed for Dulles. Repeated to Tel Aviv, London, Ottawa, and Rome.↩
  2. See Document 221.↩
  3. Telegram 4993 from Paris, April 25, reported that the French Defense Ministry would supply another 12 Mysteres to Israel in the next 10 days. (Department of State, Central Files, 784A.56/4–2556)↩