191. Memorandum From the Ambassador at Large (Harriman) to President Johnson1
Israel:
I am glad that Bob Komer was able to work out arrangements with Israel satisfactory to you. I was sorry to leave in the middle, but as there was so much publicity about my presence, I felt it better to leave, particularly as I gained such confidence in Komer’s skill in handling the negotiations. Ambassador Barbour also was most helpful.
My talks did some good in bringing Eshkol and his colleagues around to understanding the need for our continuing military assistance [Page 408] to Jordan. They also now clearly understand that we will oppose their use of force under any circumstances in connection with the Jordan water diversion. We must, however, make every effort to block Arab diversion, if in fact it ever comes off.
The Israelis are very sensitive on the subject of their water rights, which I know you will understand. We will have, I believe, continuing difficulty in restraining them if peaceful means don’t produce results. I therefore stated bluntly that if the Israelis ever used force they would be up against United States opposition. This was somewhat of a shock, but I am satisfied it was useful.
The Israelis feel that the military balance with the Arabs has deteriorated since Eshkol’s visit last June and they want to discuss this subject again.
Eshkol asked me to convey to you his strong hope that we would move our Embassy to Jerusalem. I explained the difficulties but he persisted in his request. NEA believes it would be most inadvisable to make such a move at the present time. If you agree, I will write Mr. Eshkol informally that you feel this matter should be deferred under the present circumstances.2
[Here follow brief reports on Harriman’s visits to Afghanistan, India, and the Philippines.]
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Israel, Harriman Israeli Mission (II). Secret. Filed with a covering note from Bundy stating that the memorandum was Harriman’s report on his mission and that Bundy did not think it needed the President’s attention but had promised to forward it to him. A handwritten “L” and an “NR” on the covering note indicates that it was seen but not read by the President.↩
- No letter from Harriman to Eshkol on this subject has been found.↩
- Secretary Rusk signed below Harriman’s signature.↩