Telegram to U.S. State Department on Refugee Issue
(January 22, 1963)
537. I met yesterday afternoon with Prime Minister at his request.
Other Israelis present included Harman, Rafael and Arad. He opened discussion
by expressing appreciation for deep understanding, goodwill, and friendship
for Israel shown by President Kennedy in recent talks with Foreign Minister
Meir. President's comment that United States special relation with Israel
not negotiable appeared touch him particularly. While deeply grateful
to hear United States would come quickly to Israel's aid if latter attacked
he commented in this respect Israel must nevertheless rely upon itself.
He agreed with President's statement that progress must be made in
refugee issue, which was reason he had asked me to call. Series of high-level
talks within GOI had been held on this subject in recent days and he
wanted to apprise me generally of results. His earlier talk with President
Kennedy on this subject had resulted in complete agreement between them
and he was pleased to hear President still held same views. As he saw
situation, in accepting any future agreement Israel must be able to
see clearly where plan comes out in end and agreement must settle whole
problem once and for all. Aside from this consideration, he believed
there were two initially fundamental questions: (1) what is total number
of refugees; and (2) number refugees Israel can take. On first, he insisted
that there be included as refugees only persons who came from territory
which is now Israel and that no others, such as persons from Nablus,
be thrown in. He saw no particular difficulties with this question (sic),
but he thought there may be complications about second although he believed
Israel and United States views this matter not divergent. As was known,
he pointed out, Israel had interest in settling refugee question and
was willing to consider it aside from issue of general peace. Any real
settlement must also have goodwill of Arab states, he continued, which
inevitably would mean their settlement of major portion of refugees
in Arab territory as it would be impossible to settle appreciable numbers
elsewhere. In this connection he reiterated Israeli willingness to participate
in compensation. This goodwill would also mean that Arab states would
agree that any accepted solution cleared up fully and finally refugee
question and it should be understood that solution would terminate in
discussion of problem in United Nations. It was in getting Arab acceptance
to such a plan that he saw difficulties arising, but he assured me that
to obtain such a solution Israel would be willing to make its contribution.
Ben-Gurion outlined foregoing as fundamental groundwork of further
Israel-United States talks on refugee problem. He said he would be prepared
begin such talks on substance as soon as Mrs. Meir's return of February
5 from her current trip to East Africa (Embtel 511). He expects these
talks to take place in Israel with his personal participation, at least
at outset, which later emphasized as Israeli position by Rafael.
I responded that I had no instructions as yet as to further pursuit
refugee problem but that I was pleased to find agreement in United States
and Israeli point of view that solution of refugee issue highly desirable.
It was United States belief, I commented, that such a solution would
contribute materially to peace in area, hence any step in that direction
would assist in developing this peace. I expressed my gratification
that discussions on this issue might begin earlier in year and not be
carried out under commission to meet UNGA deadline. His remarks would
be transmitted to the Department, I said, and I would await instructions.
Barbour
Sources: Foreign
Relations of the United States, 1961-1963: Near East, 1962-1963,
V. XVIII. DC: GPO,
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