109. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (Wilcox) to the Secretary of State1
SUBJECT
- Arab-Asian Resolution on Withdrawal
Ambassador Lodge just called to report that Ambassador Rifai of Jordan has just been to see him.2 Rifai told Lodge that the Arab-Asian countries are planning to introduce a resolution today providing for sanctions against Israel. They have 18 sponsors and they wanted to know what our attitude would be. Rifai remarked that they had seen in the papers news of our weekend activities with respect to the matter.
Lodge reported that the Arab-Asian group will meet again at 6 p.m. today and would like to have our reaction by that time. He said he should have an answer to this question—“Do we want to go ahead with the Arab-Asian group, supporting a simple sanctions resolution or do we want to have a resolution of our own which might include certain other provisions with respect to Aqaba, Gaza, etc.[?”]
Ambassador Lodge believes it would be better if he were authorized to tell the Arab-Asian states that we would support them.
We have just had word also that the USSR has prepared a resolution and is consulting with the Arab group on it. It would:
- 1.
- Recall previous resolutions approved by the Assembly;
- 2.
- Note the Secretary General’s report;
- 3.
- View with concern Israel’s refusal to withdraw;
- 4.
- Condemn the Israelis; and
- 5.
- Recommend that the Security Council call upon all states to deny all military, economic assistance or facilities to Israel in view of her continued defiance of the aforementioned resolutions.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/2–1857. Confidential. A marginal notation on the source text by Bernau reads: “Sec saw”.↩
- In telegram 759 from USUN, February 18, Lodge confirmed the contents of his report telephoned to Wilcox and described developments in New York occurring subsequent to that conversation. (Ibid.)↩