318. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel1
Washington, August 30, 1966, 12:06 a.m.
37395. Ref: Amman Embtel 470 to Dept.2 You authorized to convey message contained para 10 reftel3 to Israeli Govt at level you deem most appropriate, making clear that we simply acting as channel of communication. At same time you may express hope that in this reportedly tense situation no Israeli action will be undertaken which might be seized upon as pretext for Syrian action.4
Rusk
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 32–1 ISR–SYR. Secret; Immediate. Drafted by Kinsolving and cleared in substance by Symmes and Davies. Repeated to Amman, Damascus, Cairo, Jerusalem, and CINCSTRIKE.↩
- Telegram 470 from Amman, August 29, reported that Prince Hassan and Prime Minister Tell had told Burns of a Syrian report, relayed by the United Arab Command, that Israeli troops were massing on the Syrian frontier. They stated that, in the event of hostilities on the Israel-Syria border, the United Arab Command had ordered Jordan to launch an offensive into Israel. They felt that if they implemented the order, Jordan’s forces would be cut to pieces, but if they did not, Jordan would be accused of treason to the Arab cause. (Ibid.)↩
- Paragraph 10 reported the request that the United States explain Jordan’s predicament to the Israelis in general terms and ask them to “keep the lid on.”↩
- Telegram 769 from Tel Aviv, August 30, reported that Acting Director of the U.S. Affairs Department Argov, to whom the Embassy had passed the message, stated that the report was baseless. The telegram further stated that all information available to the Embassy indicated the report was without foundation. (National Archives and Records Administration,RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 32–1 ISR–SYR)↩