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

683.84A/2–2653: Telegram

No. 574
The Ambassador in Israel (Davis) to the Department of State¹

secret
NIACT

Tel Aviv, February 26, 1953—7 p.m.

1370. Embtels 1302² and 1310.³ Embassy received through Consulate General Jerusalem last night copy of letter dated February 19 from Lieutenant Colonel Gaon to Vigier of UNTSO stating Israel prepared resume discussions with Syria “in view of fact that it has been agreed to confine present Israel-Syria talks to division of demilitarization zones only”. Letter adds: “Whenever an Arab inhabitant of the DZ elects to leave his present abode because of the zone’s division, he shall be suitably compensated. If this compensation is made in form of lands; these lands need not necessarily lie within the DZ”. Director United States Division Foreign Ministry stated this morning Israel Government understanding Syria willing proceed with present discussions on above basis if this does “not rule out compensation outside DZ” for Arabs who desire leave lands on Israel side new demarcation line. At noon today Reuven Shiloah, special adviser to Foreign Minister, stated that letter is Israeli Government formula designed to enable governments to proceed with discussion Syrian proposal.

By way of background he explained that in saying lands given in compensation need not lie within DZ, Israel left open to discussion area suggested by Syria but provided a much more palatable formulation for domestic political purposes. He stated this formulation had further advantage avoiding mention name of area (Derbashiya) which has no precise limitations. He assured me it is Israeli Government intent to try to reach agreement within framework present offer and reply. He stated that although Israel would much prefer to pay compensation in money for the property of Arabs wishing to abandon their property on Israel side of demarcation line, letter clearly indicates readiness to negotiate compensation in form of lands outside demilitarization zones.

Davis

1. Repeated to Damascus, Jerusalem, London, Paris, and Rome.
2. In telegram 1302 from Tel Aviv, Feb. 13, Ambassador Davis reported that he had an appointment to see Foreign Minister Sharett after verifying Israel’s receipt of the Syrian Government’s proposal. (684A.85/2–1353)
3. In telegram 1310 from Tel Aviv, Feb. 13, Davis reported that Sharett stated he had not yet received details of the latest Syrian proposal for a new demarcation line but Vigier had given the Director General of the Foreign Ministry a preview of its general lines. Sharett expressed gratification at this indication that Shishikli still desired an agreement, and responded favorably to Davis’ expression of hope that the new proposals would receive careful consideration and that every effort would be made to avoid fixing conditions or making pronouncements which might result in breaking off negotiations. (684A.85/2–1353)