34. Telegram 195790 From the Department of State to the Mission in Geneva, Switzerland, and the Embassy in Israel1 2
Washington, November 21, 1969,
0107Z.
Subject:
- TWA Hijacking
Ref:
- Tel Aviv 4348
Deliver to action officer opening of business.
- 1.
- For Geneva: As recommended by Tel Aviv in reftel, you should approach ICRC ASAP and make strong pitch to get original three-cornered proposal back on tracks. In so doing you should acknowledge that we aware of Syrian counterproposal. You should also inform ICRC in strictest confidence that Israeli Government reaction to Syrian tactics is strong enough that it may call off whole deal. If Syrians can be persuaded permit release two Israeli passengers, there chance Israel can be persuaded go [Page 2] through with original deal and Syrian pilots will be released. ICRC may wish remind Syrians that this was original Syrian proposal and SARG’s reneging brings Syrian good faith into question. Impress upon ICRC fact that three-cornered deal presents best opportunity to date to secure release two passengers and bring an end to whole affair.
- 2.
- For Tel Aviv: Inform Rafael soonest that we approaching ICRC and asking that they attempt persuade SARG to release two Israelis forthwith. Tell Rafael we fully appreciate his exasperation and that of GOI. Syrians have clearly changed rules in middle of game and their action inexcusable. Nevertheless, with three-cornered exchange proposal there exists excellent framework within which immediate objectives of all concerned can be accomplished. Therefore, [Page 3] we ask that Israel’s’ anger at Syrians not lead them to close the door to chance of carrying through deal as originally proposed. Noting that Israeli decisions influenced by humanitarian considerations (para 2 reftel), you should emphasize to Rafael that failure take advantage of opportunity at hand could result in indefinite detention Israelis in both Syria and UAR. You may also tell Rafael that we urging SARG use its influence with Damascus (Beirut 9635) since exchange as proposed will result in repatriation large numbers UAR personnel.
Rogers
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, AV 12 US. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Repeated to Beirut. Drafted by Baas on November 20; cleared by Sisco, Davies, and Seelye; and approved by Johnson.↩
- The Department of State instructed the Mission in Geneva to approach the ICRC as soon as possible to restore the swap agreement and bring the TWA Flight 840 incident to an end. Embassy Tel Aviv was asked to inform RAFAEL that the U.S. Government was approaching the ICRC and the UAR.↩