Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XVIII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1964–1967

342. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Jordan¹

Washington, November 21, 1966, 8:44 p.m.

88812. Ref Amman 1177.²

1. We fully share concern of GOJ over continuing unrest in Jordan and hope that strong action by SC will have calming influence upon situation. While Nigerian-type resolution with loose talk about sanctions under Chapter VII might have some heady effect for moment, we have been working on assumption that resolution containing ref to “cessation of violent acts from either side of line” would add some greater element of balance and would have greater long-term influence on general overall problem of peace in area.

2. Accordingly, in discussing with Zu’aiter Dept’s reaction to his demarche on SC resolution, you should note our conviction that there will be no peace in area as long as Israel is subject to recurring Fatah type raids taking place despite Jordan’s best efforts so far to prevent them and it difficult isolate Nov 13 incident from them. In seeking to create better understanding within GOJ of motives and objectives of US moves so far in Council, Embassy should draw as appropriate on para 4 of USUN 2491 and on USUN 2411.³ Para 7 of latter will serve as general outline of background of our approach to problem in SC and may so be used. Embassy should not however refer specifically to our initial draft which is now outdated. Although we do not wish to refer to “terrorist activities” as such,⁴ we believe some language clearly covering Fatah-type raids should be included, although there would be no implication Jordan was to blame for them. Consultations at UN today, reported by USUN septel, indicate approach of this nature urgent since Nigerian Permrep plans to table resolution strongly favorable to Jordan, condemning action of Israel but containing language following closely along lines of last preambular paragraph of our draft (USUN 2493).⁵

3. Dept commends your initiative in approaching FonMin on El-Farra actions. We believe you should again express hope instructions have been sent to him since he again on Nov 21 saw fit to link US position in SC to domestic political considerations.⁶

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 32–1 ISR–JORDAN/UN. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Campbell; cleared by Wolle and in substance by Brown, Sisco, and Davies; and approved and initialed by Atherton. Repeated to USUN, Tel Aviv, London, Moscow, Cairo, Paris, Beirut, Damascus, Baghdad, Kuwait, Jidda, Jerusalem, and UNCINCMEAFSA.
2. Telegram 1177 from Amman, November 20, reported that Foreign Minister Zu’aiter called in Burns to urge U.S. support for an African draft resolution condemning Israel and to complain that a U.S. draft resolution contained “irrelevant” references to Israel-Syria border incidents. (Ibid.)
3. Telegram 2491 from USUN is dated November 19. (Ibid., POL 32–1 ISR–JORDAN/UN) Telegram 2411 was not found.
4. Telegram 88974 to Amman, November 22, instructed the Embassy to substitute the words “Although reference to ‘terrorist activities’ as such no longer possible in light of sentiment of Council,” for the opening clause of this sentence. (Ibid.)
5. Dated November 19. (Ibid.)
6. Telegram 1217 from Amman, November 22, reported that since Tell had indicated he did not want to seem to dictate to El-Farra by instructing him on details, the Embassy thought it would be counterproductive to press him to send further instructions. (Ibid., POL 32–1 ISR–JORDAN)