296. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Jordan 1
Washington, June 15, 1967, 10:32
p.m.
211615. For Ambassador at opening of business June 16.
- 1.
- Prior to Foreign Minister Touqan’s departure for Arab Foreign Minister’s meeting in Kuwait, you should convey to him following USG position on current crisis:
- 2.
- We are urgently studying problems growing out of recent Arab-Israel hostilities in an effort to defuse situation. In this connection you may assure him that we stand by our support of the political independence and territorial integrity of all states in the Near East in accordance with the reaffirmation on June 13 by President Johnson (press conference) of his May 23 statement (copies of both should be provided). In our view, it is of prime importance for all states to take steps now to assure that there is an end to the periodic hostilities and the state of belligerency which have marked Near Eastern history in the last two decades. The USG is fully prepared to work both in the UN and directly with other states for lasting arrangements which will serve permanently to reduce tensions in this region. The UN resolution submitted to the Security Council by the USG on June 8 was designed to accomplish that end.
- 3.
- We have been and are concerned with conditions on the West Bank. To alleviate the situation, we have vigorously intervened with the Israelis for them to encourage West Bank residents to remain there and resume normal life. We have been somewhat encouraged by these efforts and will continue them. We approve of UNRWA’s continuing its operations on the West Bank and we are supporting other measures to assist people in Jordan who have suffered from the hostilities.
- 4.
- We realize that GOJ has raised in past days a number of important questions which we have not answered. We can only assure GOJ that we have Jordan’s interest very much in mind and will be in touch with the GOJ as soon as we have sorted things out. In the meantime, we hope that the GOJ can continue to exercise, as far as circumstances permit, a moderate influence on Arab counsels, as without moderation on all sides, there is little hope for reducing present tension.
- 5.
- We are deeply chagrined that some Arab countries have broken relations on the basis of outrageous charges and would be gravely disturbed if there were further action based on the same falsehoods.
Rusk
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27 ARAB–ISR. Confidential; Immediate. Drafted by Houghton, cleared by Davies and the NSC Special Committee, and approved by Battle.↩