Feldman's Report On Visit To Israel
(August 24, 1962)
This is a memorandum of conversation covering President's
Deputy Special Counsel, Feldman, to McGeorge Bundy, discussing his recent
visit to Israel.
PARTICIPANTS
Mr. McGeorge Bundy--The White House
Mr. Myer Feldman--The White House
Ambassador Barbour
NEA--Mr. James Grant
NE--Mr. William Crawford
When asked to summarize orally the results of his
visit to Israel, Mr. Feldman commented as follows:
1. He had obtained a firm, secret commitment from Mrs.
Meir that neither Israel nor its friends will introduce the direct negotiations
resolution at this General Assembly, unless the United States should
so request, and provided the United States agrees to "oppose"
resolutions proffered by the Arabs. Mrs. Meir had stated that Israel
will continue to make representations to other nations as if it were
seeking to introduce such a resolution. Israel will probably make speeches
in favor of such a course in the General Assembly, but it will not actually
push these efforts to the point of seeking introduction of a resolution.
It can answer for its friends. Mrs. Meir emphasized that this must be
an absolutely secret agreement between Israel and the United States.
2. Regarding the Hawk, Mrs. Meir said that Israel has
no interest in the Bloodhound. It has not received a firm offer for
this but the system is inferior. Even if it were not and cost less than
the Hawk, Israel, for other reasons, would purchase the United States
system.
3. On the refugees, Mrs. Meir had made it clear that
Israel distrusts Dr. Johnson not for bias but because he is considered
naive. [1 line of source text not declassified]
Israel's commitment in regard to the refugees is as
follows:
Israel will not reveal the true purpose of Mr. Feldman's
visit.
Israel will "not say anything" to obstruct
implementation of the Plan unless:
a) Nasser begins propagandizing in favor of repatriation,
and b) when the plan begins to operate Nasser refuses to settle those
refugees who opt for resettlement. Mr. Feldman said that, regarding
provisos a) and b), Israel at times inserted here the words "Arab
states" instead of "Nasser". It is evident that Nasser
is their main concern and that we can hold them to this more narrow
construction of the meaning of their two provisos.
Sources: Foreign
Relations of the United States, 1961-1963: Near East, 1962-1963,
V. XVIII. DC: GPO,
2000. |