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

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

Damascus, May 3, 1956—1 p.m.

1027. Embtel 1025.² Reliable UN source reports following re Hammarskjold–GOS discussions Damascus May 2:

(1) Hammarskjold stated he had no assurance from Israel re abiding by SC decision. This, however, implicit in UN membership. He thought Israelis attached importance his views this matter, and therefore not worried.

(2) GOS finally initialed statement re unconditional cease-fire (Embtel 1015, para 2(b)³), with addendum to effect it (a) undertook observe obligations under Charter including Article 25 thereof⁴ (re carrying out SC decision) and (b) hoped Israel would do same.

(3) In return GOS asked Hammarskjold for statement that he supported Syrian position re respecting SC decisions. Hammarskjold demurred, but did initial statement to the effect his present mission carried out within framework of Article 25 of UN Charter.

(4) Statements cited 2 and 3 above exchanged and Hammarskjold agreed their release by GOS May 3. In conversation May 3 Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ghazzi told me GOS had given assurances re unconditional cease-fire but had added this done in confidence SC decisions would be observed. In reply my query, Ghazzi explained that statement re SC decisions was addendum, not condition, but that GOS had advised Hammarskjold it would consider Israel resumption of work on Jisr Banat Yacub Canal a violation this agreement.

Press and government controlled Damascus radio May 3 report (a) GOS gave Hammarskjold written cease-fire pledge on condition SC decisions observed, “including that which prevents Israel from resuming diversion Jordan River”, and (b) this means Israeli violation SC decisions would release Syria from its pledge. Press quotes Minister Defense Barbada, Minister Interior Buzo, Minister Education Kuzbari and Foreign Office Secretary General Tarazi as confirming cease fire conditioned on Israeli observance SC regulations, particularly that of October 27, 1953,⁵ and as stating Hammarskjold’s reply to GOS considered pledge by him on behalf Israel that latter will not attack Syrian frontiers.

Comment: Hammarskjold-GOS agreement constitutes compromise in language less clear-cut than UNSYG originally sought, without firm assurances re Banat Yacub Canal initially demanded by Syrians. In effect it appears GOS has agreed to unconditional cease fire effective up to point Israelis resume work in DZ.

Moose

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/5–356. Secret; Priority. Received at 3:02 p.m. Repeated to Amman, Beirut, Cairo, Jerusalem, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv.
2. Document 321.
3. Document 316.
4. Reference is to the U.N. Charter. For text, see 59 Stat. (pt. 2) 1031.
5. Reference is to the U.N. Security Council resolution of that date, which the Security Council approved unanimously at its 631st meeting. For text, see U.N. doc. S/3128.