404. Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State1
2027. Re Deptel to London 3039, Paris 1533.2 We discussed [Page 817] briefly with Daridan this afternoon tripartite conversations in Washington on Middle East. He said instructions not yet dispatched to Alphand but indicated line would be that French unwilling to discuss Israeli dispositions in isolation but happy to discuss grave situation throughout whole area. He then catalogued series of attacks on French institutions in several Arab countries during past few days and apprehension what is to follow. On other hand, he continued profess ignorance extent Israeli preparations and supposition they are defensive in intent.
Comment: It seems probable to us that French are making no effort restrain Israelis and that, whether or not they are privy to Israeli intentions, they would not be loath to see Israeli dispositions which might divert Arab attention from France, or perhaps even military action which would weaken Egypt and its allies. French are bound at this moment to look at developments in Middle East through spectacles increasingly bitter Franco-Arab hostility.
For this reason, despite probability French may not cooperate as we would wish in implementation 1950 declaration, we would consider it of greatest importance to remain in close consultation with them on this matter in order that their policy not diverge from ours any more than unavoidable minimum.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/10–2956. Secret; Niact. Received at 1:51 p.m. Repeated to London and Tel Aviv.↩
- This telegram, dated October 28, informed the Embassies in London and Paris that the Department had been discussing the Israeli mobilization with British and French representatives in Washington along the lines indicated in the statement issued by President Eisenhower on October 28. (ibid., 674.84A/10–2856)↩