Arab Countries React To Kennedy Letters
(May 26, 1961)
SUBJECT
Reaction to Presidential Letters to Middle East Leaders/2/
/2/For additional documentation on the responses from
Arab leaders to President Kennedy's May 11 letter, see Supplement, the
compilation on the Arab-Israeli dispute.
While no final replies have been received, we believe
the President may be interested in the country-by-country, preliminary
reactions to his May 11 letters to Arab leaders. The President's letters
have so far been held in confidence by all recipients except, apparently,
King Saud, and no publicity regarding them appeared until May 23.
The United Arab Republic: Initial reaction to the President's
letter appears constructive. A confidant of Nasser informed our Chargé
on May 20 that the President's letter is "very important",
and opined cautiously that some measure of progress on Palestine might
be envisaged provided the U.S. is really prepared to be firm and fair.
Lebanon: At the time of its delivery by Ambassador
McClintock, President Chehab read the President's letter with careful
attention. He remarked that the three most urgent problems affecting
Israel-Arab relations are: the refugees, diversion of the Jordan River
by Israel, and Arab fears of Israel's atomic research program. The usually
moderate Lebanese President commented, however, that even if all these
issues could be resolved, deep Arab hostility to Israel, a state established
at Arab expense by armed force supported from abroad, would remain.
Jordan: King Hussein read the President's letter with
obvious interest. He said he wished to give it thorough study before
replying.
Iraq: The letter was delivered to Foreign Minister
Jawad, who assured our Ambassador it would be discussed with Prime Minister
Qasim the same day. No further reaction has been received.
Yemen: The Imam is still indisposed as a result of
wounds received during the recent attempt on his life. Our Chargé
delivered the letter on May 20 to Crown Prince Badr, the Foreign Minister.
Saudi Arabia: Upon receiving the President's letter,
King Saud said he was glad to know of the President's interest in Near
East problems and looked forward to learning his views, especially on
Israel. According to press reports coming from the Middle East on May
23, King Saud has subsequently called in the Ambassadors of the other
Arab countries in Saudi Arabia to acquaint them with the contents of
the President's letter and to suggest that a meeting of the Arab League
Council be convened to formulate replies. This information has not yet,
however, been confirmed by our Embassy in Jidda.
Israel: On May 23 the Israel radio broadcast news that
a letter had been sent from the President to King Saud in an effort
to assuage Arab sensitivities over Prime Minister Ben-Gurion's forthcoming
visit to the United States.
Melvin L. Manfull/3/
/3/Printed from a copy that indicates Manfull signed
the original above Battle's typed signature.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.11-KE/5-2661.
Confidential. Drafted by Crawford on May 24.
Sources: Foreign
Relations of the United States, 1961-1963: Near East, 1962-1963,
V. XVIII. DC: GPO,
2000. |