Telegram Regarding Rejection of Johnson Plan
for Refugees
(November 21, 1962)
This is a telegram from the Department of
State to the Embassy in Israel reporting
a discussion with Golda
Meir in reference to the Johnson Plan
and the refugee
problem.
Mrs. Meir's arguments differed hardly at all from those she has used previously
and which were repeatedly stressed by Ambassador Harman during recent
series five talks between Talbot and Ambassador Harman: (1) Johnson Plan
or anything derived from it has been rejected by Israel and cannot be
basis for further useful conversation. (2) Israel will not cooperate in
any process unless there has been prior agreement with Arabs that 90%
of refugees will be resettled. (3) Israel will not cooperate in any operation
involving expression of refugee preference. (4) If Israel is pressed on
any of these points against its will, it will return to its position of
pre-1951; i.e, that there can be no discussion of refugee problem except
in context an over-all peace settlement. (5) Israel must pursue direct
negotiations resolution "as its only secret weapon" in GA, and
could only desist from having this brought to a vote if Johnson Plan is
totally out of picture and there is specific Israel-US agreement on a
common opposition to possible Arab resolutions and other tactical concerns
and there is no citation of Paragraph 11. (6) The remaining time very
short and we must get down to such tactical considerations on urgent basis.
(7) Mrs. Meir said she would also like see President Kennedy to put to
him Israel point of view on refugee problem.
Secretary commented Israel's position seems to add up to no progress
and this is something USG cannot accept. Any return to Israel's position
of decade ago that refugees could only be discussed in general context
of peace would necessarily be very serious and would cause re-examination
of broader aspects our relationship. Israel's view of precise nature
its assurance re direct negotiations resolution contains at least one
element that is new to Department (insistence Johnson Plan be dropped).
Mrs. Meir's request for meeting with President will be conveyed. Meanwhile
USG will give close study to Israel's stated position.
Rusk
Sources: Foreign
Relations of the United States, 1961-1963: Near East, 1962-1963,
V. XVIII. DC: GPO,
2000. |