206. Telegram From the Embassy in Israel to the Department of State1
1323. During conversation yesterday with Mrs. Meir, principally devoted to recent publicity re arms sales to M.E. reported separately,2 I took occasion refer again to strength USG opposition to possible Israel 1) pre-emptive military action against Arab water diversion, and 2) entry into nuclear weapon field. I said I was speaking without instructions and I had no intention of making threats. However, although US [Page 440] position had been made entirely clear in recent Harriman-Komer talks and on other occasions, I told her I thought it in the interests of both countries that I pass on the brief but impressive comments the Secretary made to me privately last week in Geneva. The Secretary had remarked on his own initiative and not in response to any prompting or query on my part that in either event “the US Government would pull out.” I said that my quote might well be inaccurate and in any case the language was not preformulated with precision. To me the importance of this comment is that it emphasizes the seriousness with which the highest levels of the USG would view such Israeli action.
Mrs. Meir thanked me and expressed understanding. She did not comment further but I think she was impressed.
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, DEF 12–5 ISR. Secret; Exdis. A written notation in an unknown hand reads, “Good show!”↩
- Telegram 1319 from Tel Aviv, April 15, reported that Meir expressed great concern over news stories from Washington concerning U.S. provision of arms to various Near Eastern countries, including information that Israel had acquiesced and had been warned not to take any steps to prevent Arab water diversion. (Ibid., DEF 12–5 NEAR E) Circular telegram 1976, April 15, contains the text of a statement made by a Department of State spokesman that day stressing that there had been no change in U.S. arms sales policy in the Near East. (Ibid.)↩