Office of the Historian

329. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Posts1

Washington, October 17, 1966, 6:31 p.m.

67505. Ref: State 66870.2

1.
In meeting with Israeli Amb. Harman today on another subject, Assistant Secretary Hare took occasion restate US policy against unilateral action and use military force in Arab-Israel situation.
2.
After expressing gratification Israel had resorted to UN instrumentalities in present case,3 Hare emphasized US policy against retaliatory action still holds. Any idea that failure of UNSC to take effective action would justify Israel’s resort to force is wrong, and it was important for that to be said now instead of later.
3.
Harman acknowledged he understood US views in this respect. He said he would not speculate on what action Security Council might be able take or what his government would do if no effective results. He would say, however, that failure curb Fatah terrorist incursions would create “very, very serious situation.”
4.
In response Hare’s query as to Israeli estimate Soviet attitude, Harman said he had not been surprised by public attitude taken by Soviets. He was nursing hope Soviets would realize seriousness of situation and restrain Syrians. It would appear be in Soviet interest to restrain present regime.
5.
Asked if GOI had considered any initiatives that might be taken to improve situation along borders—such as parties electing cooperate more with UNTSO and MACs—Harman said he knew of nothing. He added that as far as he knew Syrian Perm Rep Tomeh had not responded to U Thant’s discussion with him last week.
6.
Hare reminded Harman that knowledge of recent exchange with Jordanians should be closely held.
Rusk
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 32–1 ISR–JORDAN. Secret. Drafted by Symmes, cleared by Campbell, and approved by Hare. Sent to Beirut, Damascus, Amman, Baghdad, Jidda, Cairo, Kuwait, London, Paris, Tel Aviv, and USUN.↩
  2. Telegram 66870, sent to Amman and Tel Aviv, October 15, authorized the Embassy in Amman to give the Jordanian Government comments by Israeli Foreign Office officials in response to King Hussein’s points (see footnote 5, Document 327) except those requiring further Jordanian reply. It stated that the U.S. Government had not changed its long-established position of avoiding the role of postman between the Arabs and Israelis except in the most serious circumstances. (Ibid.) Telegram 1279 from Tel Aviv, October 13, reported that the Embassy passed on King Hussein’s points to Israeli Foreign Office officials, who stated that Israel had also increased precautions along the frontier and urged extra Jordanian precautions to curb infiltration in the Jerusalem area and Jordanian cooperation in MAC investigations. They also requested a more specific description of the area south of Jerusalem to which the King referred. (Ibid.)↩
  3. On October 12, Israel requested an urgent meeting of the Security Council to consider its complaints against Syria. (UN document S/7540)↩