75. Editorial Note

The UN Permanent Representatives of the Four Powers met on December 9, 1969, to discuss France’s proposals on Jordan, which Ambassador Armand Bérard introduced orally. Ambassador Charles Yost responded to the presentation with the remark that the group should try to avoid giving recommendations to UN Special Representative Gunnar Jarring that contained excessive detail for fear that they might hinder his efforts. Bérard maintained that they must decide upon a “‘delicate mixture’ between enough precision and ‘substituting selves for parties’ in determining what guidelines to provide Jarring.” (Telegram 4503 from USUN, December 10; National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–14 ARAB–ISR) Ambassador Yakov Malik tabled draft language on the cessation of the state of war in the Middle East, which represented a further unveiling of the June 17 Soviet counterproposal that he had begun on December 2. (Telegram 4502 from USUN, December 10; ibid.)

The next meeting was held on December 12, at which time Bérard and Ambassador Lord Caradon praised the major policy speech on the Middle East that Secretary Rogers had given three days earlier (see Document 73). Malik did not approve or criticize the speech but believed that it would have “repercussions around the world.” He agreed with Bérard that the Jarring Mission should possibly be re-launched [Page 258] without providing Jarring with full guidelines on every issue. None of the four commented further on the French or Soviet proposals presented at the previous meetings, nor did they recommend anything new, but they all agreed once again on the importance of re-establishing Jarring’s mission. The session closed with the agreement that the Four Powers would meet on December 18. (Telegram 4546 from USUN, December 13; National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–14 ARAB–ISR)