Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XX, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1967–1968

335. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel¹

Washington, November 30, 1968, 0127Z.

280027. 1. Believe it would be desirable for you to have a chat with Eban prior to his December 2 meeting with Jarring, making clear you doing so on instructions. In view of the number and detailed discussions we have had with GOI in recent days, and fact that they are clear as to what our position is in relationship to Jarring Mission and our desire to make progress, we leave to your discretion how best to get across to the Israelis our continuing feeling that they should put forward positive posture in this next round. In the course of your conversation, you might make clear that for our part we have been pressing both USSR and UAR with a view to trying to get Nasser to be more explicit on concept of peace, which of course is of primary interest to GOI.

2. From Sisco’s conversation with Tekoah in New York on Tuesday,² we have the impression Israelis very relaxed-much more relaxed than we are-regarding Jarring’s willingness to serve for an indefinite period. We are pleased that he is having another round in the area and apparently plans further discussions after Christmas vacation in Moscow. While Jarring is no longer talking about wanting to sign off in the next weeks, our distinct impression is that he will not stay on indefinitely in circumstances where prospects for progress are very bleak.

3. Anything you can get of a specific character regarding where matters stand on Jordanian side of settlement would also be helpful to the Department.³

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27 ARAB-ISR. Secret; Priority; Exdis. Drafted by Sisco, cleared by Atherton, and approved by Davies and Katzenbach. Repeated to Amman, Cairo, and USUN.
2. November 26.
3. Telegram 280086 to Tel Aviv, November 30, amplified Barbour’s instructions. Barbour was instructed to stress to Eban that if the UAR did not soon make a positive response to Jarring, Jarring would be under strong pressure to take an initiative himself. In those circumstances, the United States viewed it as important for Israel to make suggestions to Jarring about the initiative he might exercise. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27 ARAB-ISR)