Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 1

262A.84A41/9–1652: Telegram

No. 487
The Acting United States High Commissioner for Germany (Donnelly) to the Department of State¹

secret

Bonn, September 16, 1952—6 p.m.

1185. In conversation with Adenauer yesterday, he expressed concern re Arab reaction to FedRep restitution agrmt with Israel.² Chancellor felt that threat of Arab boycott of Ger goods wld revive latent anti-Semitic feelings in Ger, and earnestly asked US support in heading off this boycott. Other FedRep officials have voiced similar anxiety notwithstanding assurance given them as result Dept’s 1097 (rptd 141 Damascus).³ Blankenhorn of Chancellery expressed hope that if occasions presented themselves, Dept and our reps in Arab countries wld continue to make clear Arab reps that FedRep had no desire whatsoever to become embroiled in Arab-Israel troubles, and that restitution agrmt merely closed out a debt of past injury to Jews now living Israel.

We are particularly disturbed by Cairo’s 700 to Dept⁴ re Arab League Council approval of sending mission to West Ger re restitution. We hope Dept and addressee Embassies can convey Ger position Arab reps.⁵

Donnelly

1. Repeated to Cairo, Beirut, and Damascus.
2. The Agreement between the State of Israel and the Federal Republic of Germany was signed on Sept. 10, 1952 at Luxembourg, and came into force upon the exchange of the instruments of ratification on Mar. 27, 1953 at U.N. Headquarters, New York. For the text, see United Nations Treaty Series (Part I, No. 2137), vol. 162, p. 205; or Israel, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Documents Relating to the Agreement Between the Government of Israel and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany (Hakirya, Government Printing Press, 1953), pp. 125 ff.
3. Document 480.
4. Dated Sept. 15, not printed.
5. With respect to the agreement, Ambassador Davis reported on Sept. 18: “Yesterday FonMin Sharett requested me to convey his govt’s deep appreciation of US support with respect to Ger reparations, which he said was of great value at certain critical stages of the negots.” (Telegram 454 from Tel Aviv, Sept. 18; 262.84A41/9–1852)