293. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia1
210102. 1. SAG Amb Soweyal called on Asst Secy Battle 12:45 pm June 10 without instructions to urge USG publicly oppose Israeli military operations. Battle noted Syro-Israeli cease-fire just agreed and UNTSO reps in process fixing cease-fire line. We hoped it would be honored. We had done all we could to prevent fighting and charges of USG military involvement totally false. Public invitation had been extended UN send investigators to 6th Fleet to ascertain true facts for themselves.
2. Soweyal asked re press reports Nasser-Husayn telecon on subject alleged USG military involvement. Battle commented papers indicated there had been tape of conversation but refused be drawn out.
3. Soweyal than said he calling as friend to make clear time had come for USG to speak out in censure of Israeli military activities. We should not continue leave initiative to USSR on this issue. Soviets had urged Israeli withdrawal in Security Council but USG had not. Friendly Arab leadership might know our true stand but emotional Arab mobs did not. To support friendly leadership such as King Faysal, USG had to make its position clear on public record. Arabs were already contrasting Soviet position favorably with that of USG, despite Moscow failure give them fullest support. Leadership in friendly Arab countries could not control emotional mobs without public manifestation acceptable USG position. We should condemn Israeli action and call for withdrawal forces. Mention longer-term issues, such as need for peaceful settlement, should for moment be avoided to let present passions cool.
Battle assured Soweyal USG interest in integrity all NE countries, noting this position publicly reaffirmed in Security Council June 9. He promised give careful consideration Soweyal’s views and report them immediately to his superiors. We had all been gratified with SAG private recognition allegations against USG were false, and would do all we could in months ahead to strengthen USG-SAG ties. We had had no part in the fighting and were using every possible means to get this fact across to Arab peoples.
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 27 ARAB-ISR. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Brewer, cleared by Deputy Director of the Office of United Nations Political Affairs William H. Gleysteen and Davies, and approved by Battle. Repeated to Dhahran, Kuwait, and USUN.↩