277. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Lebanon1
Washington, September 20, 1970,
1854Z.
154423. Ref: Beirut 7937.2 Subject: PFLP Hostages.
- 1.
- Department entirely agrees that Embassy has scrupulously avoided giving Zayn and PFLP any valid reason for assuming that Embassy agreement to pass on PFLP terms for release of hostages somehow implies USG acceptance of those terms. Yet they appear to [Page 769] be making this assumption, probably without being honestly convinced of USG acceptance but rather as a negotiating tactic which they reason might serve to split five-power united front.
- 2.
- We believe time has now rpt now come to break off contact with Zayn in matter of hostages. You may be as diplomatic as you wish with him consistent with his fully understanding that Embassy wishes no rpt. no longer receive or transmit PFLP conditions.
- 3.
- Embassy’s contacts with Zayn served a useful purpose during period when movement on hostages in Amman was frozen because of civil war in city. However, security situation there has improved, ICRC representatives have proceeded to Amman and negotiations on spot may be expected to resume. In these circumstances, Amman is proper place and ICRC is proper forum for receiving information from and carrying on negotiations with the PFLP.
Rogers
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, PS 7–6 JORDAN. Secret; Immediate. Drafted by Killgore; cleared in NEA/ARN; and approved by Sisco. It was repeated Immediate to Amman, and to Bern, Bonn, Geneva, London, and Tel Aviv.↩
- Telegram 7937 from Beirut, September 21, included six demands made by the PFLP regarding the hostage situation. The Embassy informed Zayn, who served as an intermediary with the PFLP, that he should pass on to ICRC all information he wished to send to the U.S. Government. Additionally, the Embassy told Zayn that the U.S. Government had not accepted any PFLP proposals. (Ibid.)↩