Office of the Historian

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

Washington, February 15, 1956—7:24 p.m.

2965. French Ambassador informed February 132 U.S. has no objection interrupt OSP contract for production Mysteres, but made clear France must take initiative and responsibility for any transaction with Israel. French Ambassador replied he more interested in general problem arms deliveries to Israel than in specific case Mysteres. He hoped Ambassadorial Committee would soon reach understanding on pooling and timing of deliveries to Israel. We indicated U.S. does not rule out delivery American arms to Israel in future, but for present our efforts reduce tension by other means have priority. Israeli officer in France mistaken in charge U.S. obstructing French arms delivery to Israel.3

Department understands French political decision re delivery of Mysteres not yet made, and presumably this decision would only follow consultation in Ambassadorial Committee. Existence that Committee and consultation procedures are of course known only to participants.

Hoover
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 784A.56/2–1556. Secret. Drafted by Geren and approved by Allen who signed for Hoover. Also sent to London and Tel Aviv.↩
  2. The memorandum of this conversation is not printed. (Ibid., 751.5622/2–1356)↩
  3. See Documents 43 and 66.↩