120.280/5–854: Telegram
No. 818
The Chargé in Israel (White) to the Department of State1
1170. Following comments submitted section III B Department’s CA–6175, April 28.
Believe Department may desire consider whether any extensive time lag between submission proposals Amman and Israel is desirable. While initial submission Amman understandable in view Jordanian suspicions, Israeli Government, in view British special position in Jordan and recent events US–Israel relations, will tend to be extremely suspicious proposals presented only after extensive discussions Amman. Secondly, Israeli intelligence system Arab States so extensive it should be assumed that discussions Amman will soon be known to Israeli Government. Suggest, therefore, consideration advisability initial presentation proposal Amman followed by similar presentation here second or third day following. (London’s telegram 4987).2
Embassy concurs in following numbered paragraphs section III B: 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13.
Following suggestions made other paragraphs:
- (1)
- Although replacement Bennike not immediate necessity, believe Department should not abandon objective finding chief of staff with outstanding prestige, leadership and warmth of personality.
- (3)
- Believe that the same care and criteria used selection observers as Department uses in its own selections for sensitive assignments, term of service would not have to be shortened. Residence in frontier villages for observers not practicable but it is feasible locate quarters Hadera for portion Israel–Jordan border; adequate quarters available Tiberias and soon will be Beersheba if subsequently decided to apply same approach to Syrian and Egyptian borders. In order avoid question US dominance, if American Chief of Staff ultimately selected, most if not all MAC chairmen should be other nationalities. Recommend consideration use Government House as residence Chief of Staff. This neutral territory and would [Page 1549] give opportunity bring together both parties on informal, social basis.
- (7)
- Publicity will be most effective if given immediately after incident. Recommend, therefore, that Chief of Staff be authorized to issue his own statements specific cases without referral UNSYG.
- (8)
- These suggestions appear feasible with possible exception use helicopters. This would get UNTSO into patroling activities which might constitute first step general UN responsibility policing entire border.
- (11)
- Believe notification to MAC should include all types of information re efforts made by parties in case violations. Suggest also that UNTSO have authority to observe and issue reports effectiveness operations under local commanders agreement.