U.S. Promises Arms Sale To Israel That
Balances Sale to Jordan
(March 11, 1965)
The United States has made an agreement
with Jordan that
if they buy weapons from the United States, they are not
allowed to buy from the USSR and they are not allowed to
move beyond their side of the Jordan River (in other words,
they cannot attack Israel with the weapons from the U.S.).
The United States is going to let Israel decide which weapons they want since they do not want the
exact same arms as Jordan and the U.S. will make sure that
the tanks they sell to Israel are just as good, if not better
quality then the tanks they sell to Jordan. The United States
promises Israel that it will get weapons from Germany, if
not other European countries, and if not them, the United
States.
185. Telegram From the Embassy
in Israel to the Department of State/1/
1152. Embtels 1150 and 1151./2/
Text of signed memorandum of understanding
follows:
"I. The Government of
the United States has reaffirmed its concern
for the maintenance of Israel's security and
has renewed its assurance that the United
States firmly opposes aggression in the Near
East and remains committed to the independence
and integrity of Israel.
II. The Government of Israel has reaffirmed
that Israel will not be the first to introduce
nuclear weapons into the Arab-Israel area.
III. In view of the importance of an effective
Israel deterrent capacity as a major factor
in preventing aggression in the area, the
United States will of course continue, as
in the past, to be ready to discuss with Israel
its needs and problems.
IV. The United States has informed the Government
of Israel that it may sell quantities of arms
and military equipment to Jordan in order
to preclude the Soviet supply of arms through
the UAC to Jordan. King Hussein has assured
the United States that if he purchases US
tanks, he intends to keep his armor on the
East Bank of the Jordan. The United States
also has made clear to King Hussein that if
he purchases Soviet arms there will be no
sales from the United States. The United States
will keep Israel informed of the completion
of any deal with Jordan for the provision
of US arms and equipment.
V. It is understood that Israel is not interested
in buying some of the particular items sold
to Jordan. Instead the United States will
sell Israel on favorable credit terms, or
otherwise help Israel procure, certain arms
and military equipment as follows:
A. The United States will ensure the sale
directly to Israel at her request of at least
the same number and quality of tanks that
it sells to Jordan.
B. In the event of the Federal Government
of Germany not supplying to Israel the remainder
of the 150 M48 tanks outstanding under the
German-Israel tank deal of 1964, the United
States will ensure the completion of this
program.
C. The United States is further prepared
to ensure an opportunity for Israel to purchase
a certain number of combat aircraft, if not
from Western sources, then from the United
States.
VI. The Government of Israel intends to provide
the Government of the United States with a
list of its requirements in the near future
and requests that discussions on this list
take place in Washington at a mutually convenient
time.
VII. The Governments of the United States
and Israel agree that full secrecy shall be
maintained on all matters referred to herein
and all subsequent actions taken in this connection,
until the two governments agree on how and
when to divulge them. The Government of the
United States has explained to the Government
of Israel that premature publicity on the
matters covered under this understanding could
create serious complications for the United
States in its relations with other states
in the area. The Government of Israel has
informed the Government of the United States
that it understands this concern and will
be guided accordingly."
Barbour
/1/Source: National Archives
and Records Administration, RG 59, Central
Files 1964-66, DEF 12-5 JORDAN. Secret; Immediate;
Exdis. Received on March 10 at 8:38 p.m. and
passed to the White House and DOD.
2/See
Document 184 and footnote 2 thereto.
Sources: U.S.
Department of State |