Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Arab-Israeli Dispute, January 1–July 26, 1956, Volume XV

321. Telegram From the Embassy in Syria to the Department of State¹

Damascus, May 3, 1956—10 a.m.

1025. Prime Minister Ghazzi told me May 2: GOS position unchanged on Hammarskjold proposal for cease-fire (Embassy telegram 1001²). Syrian acceptance is conditional on Israeli willingness agree to respect all UN resolutions having bearing on problem. Lebanese and Jordanians take same attitude but not Egyptians. He assumed Hammarskjold who due arrive Damascus 2 p.m. May 2 would report Israeli reaction to proposals previously discussed by Hammarskjold with Syrians.

Comment: GOS position stated by Ghazzi appears differ from GOS position described by Hammarskjold to Israelis (first sentence Tel Aviv’s 1149 to Department³).

Moose

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/5–356. Secret. Received at 8:36 a.m. Repeated to Amman, Beirut, Cairo, Jerusalem, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv.
2. Document 309.
3. Document 318.