Office of the Historian

335. Memorandum of a Conversation Between the Minister of the Israeli Embassy (Shiloah) and the Deputy Director of the Office of Near Eastern Affairs (Burdett), Paris, May 5, 19561

Paris, May 5, 1956

SUBJECT

  • Arms for Israel

Mr. Shiloah telephoned Mr. Rountree stating he had received important information from Israel and asking for an urgent appointment. Since Mr. Rountree was attending a NATO meeting Mr. Burdett called on Mr. Shiloah.

Mr. Shiloah said that the Israel Ambassador in Paris had called Mr. Massigli of the French Foreign Office at noon on May 5 to ascertain the status of Israel’s request for 12 Mystère IV aircraft. Mr. Massigli informed the Ambassador that the French Government had reached no decision in the matter and that he personally was vehemently opposed to the sale. Mr. Shiloah pointed out that this was directly contrary to the U.S. impression of the French position [Page 615] as conveyed to him yesterday by Mr. Rountree.2 He urged that the Secretary seek a favorable decision from Mr. Pineau before leaving Paris. The Israel Embassy in Paris deduced that the French were about to open negotiations with the Algerian nationalists. The negotiations would not be successful unless at a minimum Egypt and the other Arab states refrained from opposition. After a short lull the Egyptian state radio had resumed vicious attacks on French policy in North Africa. Therefore, the French wished to avoid any move displeasing to the Arabs. Mr. Burdett stated that we had no new information regarding the French attitude, but that he would convey Mr. Shiloah’s report immediately to Mr. Rountree.

Mr. Shiloah also inquired whether any new development had occurred regarding the F86 aircraft from Canada. Mr. Burdett replied that there had been no new development on this matter either and that he could give no indication of the possible Canadian response.

Mr. Shiloah mentioned that he had received additional reports from Israel of continued Egyptian and Syrian preparations for a possible attack on Israel.

At the conclusion of the meeting Mr. Shiloah again requested that he be informed should any developments take place.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 784A.5622/5–556. Secret. Drafted by Burdett.↩
  2. The memorandum of this conversation is not printed. (Ibid., 784A.5622/5–456)↩