Telegram on Israeli Request of Arms for Heightened Security
(January 18, 1967)
This telegram discusses Israel's requests for arms from the United
States due to the necessity for heightened security on the Syria/Israel
border. The telegram reviews the manner in which to address Syria regarding
its attacks on Israel.
Following summary for information only and contents
should not be disclosed to foreign officials. It is uncleared and subject
to amendment upon review of memcon.
Ambassador Harman accompanied by Mr. Evron and General
Geba met with Under Secretary January 18./2/ Ambassador Harman presented
request for additional military assistance and U.S. public support of
Israel in its confrontation with Syria.
/2/A memorandum of the conversation is ibid.
Military assistance requested included: 1) 200 modern
APCs on grant basis, 2) $2 million tank spares on grant basis, and 3)
$14 million credit on "Hawk terms" for follow-on spares for
Hawk missiles and M-48 tanks.
Ambassador Harman reviewed dangerous situation arising
from border incidents and terror attacks and noted that Government of
Israel has left time before reacting in order to have pressures brought
to bear by other powers in Damascus. He expressed appreciation for US
demarche to SARG about which he had been informed. He thought it of
major importance now for powers to point finger at Syria as responsible
for terror attacks. He hoped that Syria would not be allowed to "fuzz"
situation by taking position it could not control Palestinian groups.
The Under Secretary noted that there were two sides
to this approach. Therefore calling attention to actions and Syrian
responsibility could have opposite effect from that desired. Acts have
been carried out in such a way that Syrians can reap credit domestically
yet deny responsibility in UN. We have urged the UN to take action and
are giving strong support to its efforts. Although Ambassador Harman
stated that there considerable risk in Israeli inaction in face of terrorism,
greater risk could stem from ill advised action at this juncture.
Ambassador Harman said he was basically optimistic
about situation in Near East since Israel's borders have been almost
quiescent from 1957 to 1965. There were indications of Arab realization
that Israel was here to stay and now Arab solidarity seems well along
the way to complete breakdown. The fixing of world attention now on
the need to keep Israel's borders quiet could defuse a very dangerous
situation.
The Under Secretary undertook to look into Israel's
military requests and to continue weighing the desirability of a stronger
USG public statement on terrorism.
Rusk
Source: National Archives and Records Administration,
RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, DEF 19-8 US-ISR. Secret. Drafted by Davies
and approved by Walsh for Katzenbach.
Sources: Foreign
Relations of the United States, 1964-1968, V. 18, Arab-Israeli
Dispute 1964-1967. DC: GPO,
2000. |