494. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State1
124 From Hart. General Burns called on Ambassador evening July 22 on behalf Hammarskjold (who preferred avoid direct contact with Embassy view attentiveness Egyptian press) in order discuss general situation Palestine area. He could throw little light on recent talks Hammarskjold–Ben Gurion and Hammarskjold–Nasser either because Hammarskjold had not passed on to him detailed account or because he did not feel free go into details. Apparent, however, Hammarskjold had not made much headway with Ben Gurion or Nasser in “narrowing the gap” between each side regarding settlement. Full report on these conversations would be forwarded to State Department by Hammarskjold who expected draft it after arriving Geneva July 23.
Burns stated UN observer Gaza Strip functioning well but that otherwise little progress being made implementation steps taken by Hammarskjold on previous visit to reduce tension. He felt sure Israel had no intention of evacuating Al Auja and would continue take position that as long as Egypt violating article 1 of GAA by war threats and Suez blockade Israel must maintain her forward position there.
Regarding recent scare resulting from Burns talk with Ben Gurion2 and subsequent warning Hashemite Kingdom Jordan (as reported by Amman3) Burns felt “exercise” had been useful as it brought Ben Gurion’s belligerency into open, with result attitude shown by Ben Gurion to Hammarskjold on latest visit contrasted markedly with that former had shown Burns in meeting which had preceded scare. … In aggregate Burns felt Hammarskjold visits of last few months highly useful as deterrent to Israelis.
On departure Burns expressed his regret Ambassador Byroade’s departure and appreciation past assistance.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/7–2456. Secret. Received at 7:07 a.m., July 25. Repeated to Tel Aviv, USUN, and London.↩
- See Documents 417 and 418.↩
- See Document 421.↩