Secretary’s Memoranda, lot 53 D 444
No. 411
Memorandum of Conversation, by the
Secretary of State1
Subject:
- Visit of Israel Ambassador
Participants:
- The Secretary
- Israel Ambassador Abba Eban
- Israel Minister David Goitein
- Mr. Waldo—NE
Problem: Evaluate reported of more favorable attitude toward Israel on the part of the Arab states
[Page 904]The Ambassador referred to previous discussions in the Department concerning the Anglo-Egyptian difficulties and Israel’s interest in a satisfactory solution of the Suez Canal question. He described the various favorable developments which had occurred recently bearing on Arab-Israel relations. These included meetings between high Israel and Arab officials on the Mixed Armistice Commission level, reports in Arab newspapers of a more favorable Arab attitude toward Israel, and statements of the Arabs themselves, particularly Egyptian representatives, and Sir Zafrullah Khan of Pakistan in Cairo which might indicate that the Arab states would soon consider placing their relations with Israel on a more normal basis. The Ambassador said that his Government was heartened by these developments, but they were maintaining a cautious attitude toward them. He stressed that the Egyptian representatives in Paris took a more conciliatory attitude toward the Israelis than any of the other Arab delegations, and said that if the Egyptians agreed to make peace his Government had no doubt that all of the other Arab governments would fall into line.
The Ambassador then requested that the Department ask the American representative in Cairo to inquire discreetly of the Egyptian Government whether the rumors of a more favorable Egyptian attitude had any significance. I said that, as the Ambassador was well aware, the US had always done its best to promote peace between the Arab states and Israel. We had frequently made known our views on this question to both sides and would continue to do so. We were likewise aware of these recent favorable reports to which the Ambassador had referred, and would look into them, bearing in mind what the Ambassador had requested.
The Ambassador then said that his Government was deeply concerned over the slowness with which projects were being approved and money was being spent under the Economic Assistance Program for Israel. The Ambassador said he did not intend to reflect on any individual concerned with the program, as relations between the Israel Government and TCA were excellent. He did hope, however, it would be possible to move forward more quickly in the near future. I said that I had been unaware of this situation and would take it up with my associates in the Department.
- Drafted by Waldo.↩