811.22767N/12–649
Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. Wells Stabler of the Office of African and Near Eastern Affairs
Subject: Training of Israeli Officers
| Participants: | NEA—Mr. Hare |
| Mr. Greenhill—British Embassy | |
| ANE—Mr. Wilkins | |
| ANE—Mr. Stabler |
Discussion:
Mr. Greenhill came in today on instructions from the Foreign Office to inquire regarding our attitude on the training of Israeli officers. Mr. Greenhill said that some time ago the Israeli Government had approached the British Government with the request that Israeli officers be trained in England. The British Government had replied that since [Page 1524] the Israeli Prime Minister had stated that Israeli officers were to be trained in the East as well as in the West, it could not agree to train any Israeli officers. Apparently this response had annoyed the Israeli Government, and it had recently again approached the British Government on the same subject, indicating that both the United States and France had agreed to train Israeli officers. The British Government was interested to know the attitude of the United States.
Mr. Hare said that while the arms embargo was in effect we accepted neither Israeli nor Arab officers for training. However, since the lifting of the arms embargo, we were prepared to consider requests. The Defense Department, in which the responsibility for these matters lies, is reviewing its training facilities in the light of the obligations of the Mutual Defense Assistance Program. We assumed that when the Mutual Defense Assistance requirements have been met, the Defense Department might be able to provide limited training facilities for the Israelis and the Arabs. Mr. Hare pointed out that it was necessary for us to maintain a balance between Israeli and Arab officers, particularly if the latter desired training facilities.
Mr. Stabler indicated that the question of security also entered into this question and that the fact that Israel would send its officers both to the East and to the West would undoubtedly be taken into consideration. Mr. Stabler also mentioned that we had received requests from Israel for training facilities for a large group of officers. He referred to recent newspaper articles reporting that the Israel Government was annoyed that its requests had been ignored. The Defense Department subsequently issued a statement that Israel’s request had been acknowledged and was under consideration.
Mr. Greenhill expressed appreciation for this information, which he said he would forward to London. He said that the British Government in considering this question had to bear in mind not only the question of security, but also the fact that bad blood existed between the British Army and the Israelis.