187. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the Israeli
Ambassador (Eban)
and the Secretary of State, Washington,
March 3, 1957, 10:25 p.m.1
Washington, March 3, 1957, 10:25
p.m.
SUBJECT
Following the meeting which began at 6:40 p.m. Sunday March 3,
Ambassador Eban drafted a
proposed note to the Secretary setting forth Israel’s position with
respect to its rights to act in certain circumstances with respect
to the Straits of Aqaba and Gaza, and requesting
[Page 357]
the United States to take note of that
position. He also submitted a suggested reply which might be made by
the Secretary. These drafts are attached.
After discussing the problem with Messrs. Herter, Phleger and Rountree, the Secretary telephoned Ambassador
Eban at 10:25 p.m. He said
that after thorough consideration he had come to the conclusion that
we should not proceed with the exchange of letters, but that the
United States should stand on the President’s letter of March 2 to
Mr. Ben Gurion. He said that
we did in fact have a difference of opinion regarding Gaza, and he
saw no use of spreading that difference on the record as would have
to be done if we undertook the exchange. Our reply would have to be
very guarded in order to express our feelings, and that would not be
helpful for the purposes which Ambassador Eban had explained. Moreover, the Secretary said, we
would have to make public any such exchange of letters since the
United States had carefully maintained a position that there was
nothing secret or unpublicized with respect to assurances and
understandings with Israel on the matter. He said that if the
Ambassador wanted to write a letter, as previously discussed,
regarding the Israeli position with respect to transit of the
Straits, we would be glad to answer, setting forth our views.
However, he thought that exchange should not be handled on a crisis
basis but should take place after the Israelis had proceeded with
the withdrawal.
[Attachment
1]
Draft Note by the Israeli Ambassador (Eban)2
Washington, March 3, 1957.
Dear Mr. Secretary: On March 1, 1957
the Government of Israel announced its decision to withdraw
fully and promptly from the Sharm-el-Sheikh area and the Gaza
Strip. As you know, in the Sharm-el-Sheikh area we uphold the
need to assure the maintenance of free and innocent passage. In
the Gaza Strip, we seek the prevention of a return to the
conditions of deterioration such as would arise if the
continuity of the U.N. role were to be prematurely broken.
In a statement of policy to the General Assembly the Israel
Minister for Foreign Affairs included the two following
passages:
- (a)
- With reference to the Gulf of Aqaba:
“Israel is resolved on behalf of vessels of
Israel registry to exercise the right of free and
innocent passage and is prepared to join with
others to secure universal respect of this
right.
[Page 358]
Israel will protect ships of its own flag
exercising the right of free and innocent passage
on the high seas and in international waters.
Interference, by armed forces, with ships of
Israel flag exercising free and innocent passage
in the Gulf of Aqaba and through the Straits of
Tiran, will be regarded by Israel as an
attack”.
- (b)
- With regard to Gaza:
“It is further Israel’s expectation that the
above mentioned responsibility of the United
Nations in the administration of Gaza will be
maintained for a transitory period from the
takeover until there is a peace settlement, to be
sought as rapidly as possible, or a definitive
agreement on the future of the Gaza Strip.
It is the position of Israel that if conditions
are created in the Gaza Strip which indicate a
return to the conditions of deterioration which
existed previously, Israel would reserve its
freedom to act to defend its rights.”
My Government, naturally, hopes that the contingencies envisaged
at the end of these two passages will not occur.
In view, however, of the importance of these two problems, the
Prime Minister has asked me to bring them to your cognisance and
to invite the United States Government to take note of them.
[Attachment
2]
Draft Note by the Israeli Ambassador (Eban)
Washington, March 3, 1957.
SUGGESTED REPLY
- (a)
- In his address to the General Assembly on March 1, the
United States representative took note of the declarations
made by the Israel Minister for Foreign Affairs on the same
date. The United States has, therefore, taken note of the
two passages which you have quoted from that address.
- (b)
- I would also refer you to the letter from President
Eisenhower to
Prime Minister Ben-Gurion dated March 2, 1957 in which the
President said:
“Already the United Nations General Assembly has
adopted Resolutions which presage such a better
future. Hopes and expectations based thereon were
voiced by your Foreign Minister and others. I
believe that it is reasonable to entertain such
hopes and expectations and I want you to know that
the United States, as a friend of all of the
countries of the area and as loyal member of the
United Nations, will seek that such hopes prove not
to be vain.”
