Telegram on U.S. Attempts to Reduce Tensions
Over Jordan River
(February 24, 1962)
This telegram deals with
the U.S. effort to find a more equitable
manner of distribution relating to the
Jordan River and UN consideration of Israeli
actions.
1475. Department informed UK EmbOff February 23 of following steps
being undertaken in effort reduce current tensions re Jordan waters
problem:
1. Department February 23 suggested informally to Israel Embassy that
GOI might usefully consider means whereby in press and in UN corridors
it could spread word in defense of its own actions by citing (a) intention
adhere allocation under equitable (i.e., Johnston) plan for unified
development, (b) willingness talk unified development with Arabs at
any time, (c) readiness accept international supervision of water programs
and usage if Arabs do likewise, and (d) contributions its programs and
research are making to Jordan Valley's water resources.
2. Embassy Beirut has already given GOI strong counsel re need for
moderation.
3. Ambassador Macomber has instructions for talks with Jordanians.
4. Department intends speak to UAR Embassy February 26 pointing out
in low-key that Cairo propaganda stimulation in large measure responsible
for current buildup of tensions and continuation such stimulation hardly
consistent with UAR statements re desire put all aspects Palestine problem
"in icebox".
5. We are instructing Ambassador Knight (separate telegram)/2/ re oral
reply to be made to Prime Minister Dawalibi. We hope avoid having make
reply in writing but may later be forced to this depending nature USSR
response.
Department suggested UK consider delaying for few days any reply to
Syrians. This consistent with what we conceive to be joint US-UK interest
in scrupulous avoidance of conspicuous public role that would add to
tension and desirability keeping our reactions as casual as possible.
UK EmbOff said he thought FonOff would share Department views on handling
this problem and would concur in Department suggestion.
During same conversation Department informed UK EmbOff of general nature
Bowles-Nasser talks on basis summary telegrams from Cairo.
Rusk
/1/Source: Department of
State, Central Files, 684A.85322/2-2462.
Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Crawford,
cleared by Sisco, and approved by Grant.
Repeated to Amman, Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo,
Jerusalem, Jidda, Moscow, Paris, Rome, Tel
Aviv, Bucharest, and USUN.
/2/Document 198.
Sources: Foreign
Relations of the United States, 1961-1963: Near East, 1962-1963,
V. XVIII. DC: GPO,
2000. |