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DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD [NIXON PROJECT] DOCUMENT DOCUMENT NUMBER TYPE SUBJECT/TITLE OR CORRESPONDENTS DATE RESTRICTION 140 telegram Secstate to BeeratDECLAssir ett8-4.09 8/20/20 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST MLN09-12/26 P.2 160 telegram Beirut to 14/71 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/27 P.2 162 telegram Beirut to Secsta 8-4-09 5/3/71 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/28 P.1 200 telegram Beirut to Secstate DECLASSIFIED P.1 8-4-09 21/9/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/29 224 cable CIA to White House Exempted 3.3(b)(1) lm 13 Nov 2008 7/31/71 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 03-981 NLN 09-12/30 225 cable CIA to White House P.1 Exempted ph sec 13 Nov 2008 5/1/71 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 03-9315 NLN 09-12/31 226 note handwritten note w/ attach ments Exempted 3/28/2008 3(b)(1). MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 03-93/5 3 NLN 09-12/32 227 cable Intelligence Information Cable SANITIZED POR 3.3(b)(1) HR. 11/6/13 MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/33 P.2 8/5/70 B PER 3.3(b) HP 11/6/B 228 Cable Intelligence Information Cabb EXEMPTED 7/28/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST P.2 per 3.3(b )(1),HR 11/6/8 229 cable Intelligence 7/28/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/35 SANITIZED P.2 per 3.3(b) 1),ltr 11/6/R 230 cable CIA to White House MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/36 P.1 6/24/70 B 231 cable CIA to White House SANITIZED PER 3.3(b) 1) HP.11/6 IB MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/37 P.I 4/17/70 B PER 3.3(b)(i) HD 11/6/13 232 Cable Intelligence Information Cable SANITIZED 4/8/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/38 P.2 SANITIZED peD .3(b)(1),[tp 11/6/13 233 cable CIA to white House MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/39 P.I 3/30/70 B FILE GROUP TITLE BOX NUMBER NSC Files /Country Files/middle EAST 621 P. 3 of 4 FOLDER TITLE I Lebanon Vol II Feb '70 Dec '70 RESTRICTION CODES A. Release would violate a Federal statute or Agency Policy. E. Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or B. National security classified Information. financial information. C. Pending or approved claim that release would violate an individual's F. Release would disclose investigatory information compiled for law rights. enforcement purposes. D. Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy G. Withdrawn and return private and personal material. or a libel of a living person. H. Withdrawn and returned non-historical material. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD [NIXON PROJECT] DOCUMENT DOCUMENT NUMBER TYPE SUBJECT/TITLE OR CORRESPONDENTS DATE RESTRICTION 3 memo Davis to Eliot P.16 W/ATTACH MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 03-93/1 8/20/70 B 6 memo Eliot 10 Kissinger P.55 NLN 09-12/2 8/1/70 B WATTACH MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 03-93/2 DECLASSIFIED Du etr 90ct 2008 9 memo Saunders to Kissingler P.14 4/17/70 a W/ATTACH MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 03-93/3 13 telegram Beirut to Jecstate 12/15/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/4 P.2 1 telegram Beirut to Secstato 12/12/20 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/5 DECLASSIFIED P.3 Perst 8.4.2009 18 teligram MANDATORY Becaut REVIEW to Secstate REQUESTDECLASSIFIED Persti B 20 telegram Beirut 10. Secstate 10/29/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/7 p.2 32 telegram Beint 2 Secstate 9/8/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST DECLASSIFIED , Persu 8.4-09 40 telegram Beirut TO Secsiator 8/21/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST DECLASSIFIED Pritt 8-4-09 45 telegram Beirut 10 Secstate 7/29/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09.12/10 P.2 48 telegram Beirut to Secstate 7/22/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/11 P.6 49 telegram Beirut to Seastate 7/3/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/12 P.2 52 telegram Berrut to Secrite 1/22/20 B DECLASSIFIED MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLNO9-12/13 P.I Per Lts 8-4-09 57 telegram Beirut to Secstate 6/15/20 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/14 P.2DECLAS SIFIED Lt 8-4.09 FILE GROUP TITLE BOX NUMBER NSC Files /country Files/Middle EAST 621 P610F4 FOLDER TITLE I Lebanon Vol II / Feb - 31 Dec '70 RESTRICTION CODES A. Release would violate a Federal statute or Agency Policy. E. Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or B. National security classified information. financial Information. C. Pending or approved claim that release would violate an individual's F. Release would disclose Investigatory information compiled for law. rights. enforcement purposes. D. Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy G. Withdrawn and return private and personal material. or a libel of a living person. H. Withdrawn and returned non-historical material. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD [NIXON PROJECT] DOCUMENT DOCUMENT NUMBER TYPE 'SUBJECT/TITLE OR CORRESPONDENTS DATE RESTRICTION 'fel telegram Beirut n Decslate DECLASSIFIED hrlts 8.4.09 6/8/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/15 P.I 73 telegram Beirat to Secstate DECLASSIFIED 6/1/70 3 MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/16 P.I Perite 8-4-09 74 telegram Beirut to Sastate 5/29/70 B 80 telegram Beirut to Secstate DECLASSIFIED Pults 8-4-09 5/22/20 E MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/17 P.2 83 telegram Beirut to Secsite DECLASSIFIED Perlte 8.4.09 5/21/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09.12/18 P.2 84 Beirut to Secstate DECLASSIFIED Perfts 5/15/70 B telegram MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/19 P.2 8.409 87 Cable Beirut to Secstate 11/24/20 3' 95 telegram Beirut to Secstate 3/9/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/20 P.I 112 telegram Beirut PO Secstates DECLASSIFIED Prft 8.4. 3/5/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/21 P.I 113 telegram Barut to Secstrity 8-4-09 3/4/20 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/22 P.T 122 telegram Beirut 10 Secstater Ruser 3.3(b)(16) 3/3/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST 09-12/23 Ltr 18.4.2009 Secstate to Beirut 134 12/9/20 3 telegram MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/24 P.I 135 telegram Secstate to Beirut 12/1/20 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09.12/25 P.2 FILE GROUP TITLE BOX NUMBER NSC 621 FOLDER TITLE I RESTRICTION CODES A. Release would violate a Federal statute or Agency Policy. E. Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or B. National security classified information. financial information. C. Pending or approved claim that release would violate an individual's F. Release would disclose investigatory information compiled for law rights. enforcement purposes. D. Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy G. Withdrawn and return private and personal material. or a libel of a living person. H. Withdrawn and returned non-historical material. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD [NIXON PROJECT] DOCUMENT DOCUMENT NUMBER TYPE SUBJECT/TITLE OR CORRESPONDENTS DATE RESTRICTION 140 telegram Secstate to Beiru <DECLASSIT CA8-4.09 8/20/20 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST HLN09-12/26 P.2 160 telegram Beirut 10 SecstatDECLASSIr /4/71 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/27 P.2 162 telegram Beirut to Secsda ©DECLASSIFIED 8-4-09 5/3/71 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/28 P.I 200 telegram Beirut to Secstate DECLASSIFIED P.I lts 8-4-09 4/9/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/29 224 cable CIA, to White House Exempted sec 3.3(b)(1) lm 13 Nov 2008 pu MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 03-9812 7/31/71 B 225 cablo CIA to White House P.I NLN 09-12/30 Exempted MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 03-9315 per sec 8,3(b)(1) ltr 13 NOV 2008 5/1/71 B NLN 09-12/31 226 note handwritten note w/ attach ments Exempted see 3(b)(1) fir 3 Nov 2008 MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 03-93/5 NLN 09-12/32 227 cable Intelligence Information Cablo 8/5/70 MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/33 P.2 B 228 Cable Intelligence Information Cable 7/28/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/34 P.2 229 cable Intelligence Information Cable 7/28/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/35 P.2 230 cable CIA to White House MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/36 P.1 6/24/20 B 231 cable CIA to White House MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/37 P.I 4/17/70 B 232 Cable Intelligence Information Cable 4/8/70 3 MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/38 P.2 233 cable CIA to white House MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/39 P.I 3/30/70 B FILE GROUP TITLE BOX NUMBER NSC Files /Country Files/middle EAST 621 P. 3 of 4 FOLDER TITLE I Lebanon Vol II Feb '70 31 Dec '70 RESTRICTION CODES A. Release would violate a Federal statute or Agency Policy. E. Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or B. National security classified Information. financial information. C. Pending or approved claim that release would violate an individual's F. Release would disclose investigatory Information compiled for law rights. enforcement purposes. D. Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted Invasion of privacy G. Withdrawn and return private and personal material. or a libel of a living person. H. Withdrawn and returned non-historical material. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD [NIXON PROJECT] DOCUMENT DOCUMENT NUMBER TYPE SUBJECT/TITLE OR CORRESPONDENTS DATE RESTRICTION 234 cable Dirnsa 1 white planse Exempted Person 1.4kJ,3.5(C) 6/21/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09-12/40 P.I 5.6.2009 235 cable Dirnsa to White House Exemptea 11/8/70 3 MANTATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN09.12/41 P.P (1,3.5€), 5-6-09 236 cable Dirnsa to White House Exempted 3/5/70 B MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/42 P.1.Per Ar1.4e) ,3.5k) lts 5.6.2009 237 telegram to Beirut 8/13/70 B NLNO9-12/43 DECLASSIFIED Perft 8-4-2009 FILE GROUP TITLE BOX NUMBER NSC 621 FOLDER TITLE \ RESTRICTION CODES A. Release would violate a Federal statute or Agency Policy. E. Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or B. National security classified information. financial information. C. Pending or approved claim that release would violate an individual's F. Release would disclose investigatory information compiled for law rights. enforcement purposes. D. Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy G. Withdrawn and return private and personal material. or a libel of a living person. H. Withdrawn and returned non-historical material. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE EXCES Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 701 PAGE 01 BEIRUT 01809 01 OF 02 071007Z 22 2 ACTION SS-45 INFO OCT-01 1046 W 102175 PPR 061606Z MAR 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9833 INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY JIDDA AMEMBASSY PARIS AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV USMISSION USUN SECRET SECTION 1 OF 2 BEIRUT 1809 EXDIS CORRECTED CHOPPY (ENTIRE TEXT) 1. MY LONG MEETING WITH PRESIDENT HELOU MARCH 5 DEVOTED LARGELY TO PROBLEM OF ISRAELI BORDER AREA. WHILE HE HAS IN NO SENSE GIVEN UP THE STRUGGLE, HE GAVE IMPRESSION OF BEING AT THE END OF HIS ROPE AS FAR AS KNOWING WHAT TO DO TO AVOID LEBANON'S DESTRUCTION BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS. HE WAS GRATEFUL FOR OUR EFFORTS TO RESTRAIN ISRAEL, BUT NOT SANGUINE AS TO OUR SUCCESS. HE UNDERSTOOD DILEMMA WHICH FACES USG IN POSSIBLE CHOICE BETWEEN LEBANON AND ISRAEL, AND MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT ISRAELI RESTRAINT WAS, IN HIS: MIND, ONLY FACTOR WHICH COULD SAVE SITUATION. 20 REVIEWING THE STEPS LEBANON HAD TAKEN TO LIMIT FEDAYEEN ACTICITY, HELOU SAID HE WAS IN CONTINUAL TOUCH WITH ARMY C-IN-C NOUJAIM WHO HAD RECENTLY ORDERED INTENSIFICATION OF ARMY EFFORTS TO CONTROL INFILTRATION. NOUJAIM'S JUDGEMENT WAS THAT MOST LEBANON CAN HOPE TO DO IS LIMIT INFILTRATION. THE ARMY DOES NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO STOP IT COMPLETELY. HWLOU SAID BOTH NOUJAIM AND CHIEF OF STAFF SHUMAYYIT HAD TOLD HIM THAT LARGE-SCALE USE OF FORCE AGAINST FEDAYEEN NOW OUT OF QUESTION AS IT WOULD PRODUCE CIVIL WAR. AT BEST, A PYRHHIC VICTORY WOULD BE ACHIEVED. (COMMENT: THIS IS PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT COMING FROM SHUMAYYIT WHO WAS THE LEADING HAWK IN THE CONFRONTATION WITH THE FEDAYEEN LAST FALL. ALSO, NOUJAIM WAS THEN NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THESSUREORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY 5 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE EXCES Department of State UNITED STATES OR AUGUST TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 BEIRUT 01809 01 OF 02 0710072 COMMANDER BEKAA SECTOR, AND IT WAS HIS FORCES WHICH DECISIVELY ROUTED FEDAYEEN.) 3. HELOU MENTIONED ARAFAT'S RECENT PLEDGE TO SUSPEND FEDAYEEN ACTIVITY ALONG THE FRONTIER BUT SAID HE WAS NOT CONFIDENT IT WOULD EARN A RESPITE FOR LEBANON. HELOU WAS DOUBTFUL THAT EVEN COMMANDO GROUPS NOMINALLY UNDER ARAFAT'S CONTROL WOULD HEED THE ORDER AND OTHERS SUCH AS SAIQA CERTAINLY WOULD NOT. HELOU THEN INDULGED HIMSELF IN SOME BITTER AND DISPARAGING REMARKS ABOUT FEDAYEEN LEADERS. FEDAYEEN AS A WHOLE, HE SAID, ARE TOTALLY UNCONCERNED WITH THE FATE OF LEBANON AND ACTUALLY WELCOME ISRAELI ATTACKS INTO LEBANON, WHICH INTER ALIA FORGE A STRONGER FEDAYEEN MOVEMENT. AT THIS POINT, HELOU TELEPHONED G-2 CHIEF LAHOUD TO LEARN OF LATEST BORDER DEVELOPMENTS. HEARING THAT AN ISRAELI FORCE HAD CROSSED INTO LEBANON (BEIRUT 1763 NOTAL), HELOU CONJECTURED THAT ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE MIGHT HAVE HEARD OF ARAFAT'S PROMISE TO CEASE INFIL- TRATION FROM LEBANON AND THAT THE ISRAELIS, WANTING A HEATED-UP BORDER TO JUSTIFY LARGE-SCALE ATTACKS INTO LEBANON, HAD MADE THE INCURSION TO PROVOKE THE FEDAYEEN INTO RETALIATING. (COMMENT: THIS IMMEDIATE QUESTIONING OF ISRAELI MOTIVES IS INDICATIVE OF THE SERIOUS DOUBTS HELOU NOW ENTERTAINS CONCERNING ISRAELI LONG-TERM INTENTIONS VIS-A-VIS LEBANON.) HELOU SAID HE HAD CAREFULLY STUDIED TEKOAH AND EBAN STATEMENTS ON FEDAYEEN INCIDENTS ALLEGEDLY ORIGINATED FROM LEBANON. IN SPITE OF THE NUMEROUS INCIDENTS LISTED, THE REAL TALLY OF LOSSES AMOUNTED TO ONE WOMAN KILLED AND ONE HOUSE DESTROYED, BOTH IN THE SAME INCIDENT. THIS WAS REGRETTABLE BUT HARDLY JUSTIFICATION FOR THE LATEST MASSIVE ISRAELI THREATS. HELOU ADDED THAT IF RECENT ISRAELI THREATS AGAINST LEBANON WERE MEANT AS PART OF THE WAR OF NERVES AGAINST THE FEDAYEEN AND DESIGNED TO FORCE THE GOL TO TAKE STRONGER ACTION AGAINST HTE COMMANDOS, WELL AND GOOD. IF, HOWEVER, THEY ARE MEANT IN ERNEST AND WERE ACTUALLY CARRIED OUT, IT WOULD PROBABLY MEAN THE DEMISE OF THE LEBANESE STATE. 4. HELOU THEN EXPRESSED HIMSELF AT A LOSS TO KNOW WHAT HE MIGHT DO TO EXTRICATE LEBANON FROM ITS PRESENT PREDICAMENT AND ALMOST BESEECHINGLY ASKED IF THE US LEADERSHIP, UP TO AND INCLUDING PRESIDENT NIXON, COULD OFFER ANY COUNSEL. HE SAID THAT HE WOULD ENTERTAIN ANY SUGGESTION WITH A POSSIBILITY OF SUCCESS. WITH LEBANON IN EXTREMIS HE COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT THE REST OF THE ARAB WORLD. HE SAID HE COULD NOT, HOWEVER, TAKE ANY STEP WHICH WOULD EXPOSE LEBANON TO CIVIL WAR. NOT TO BE REPRODUCED ITHOUT THE SECRET AUTHORIZATION O HE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE Department of State EXEMS UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 03 BEIRUT 01809 01 OF 02 071007Z 5. HELOU SAID ONLY US HAD POWER OR THE CAPACITY TO RESTRAIN ISRAEL, WHICH COULD EASE SITUATION. HE HOPED IT WAS CLEAR IN WASHINGTON THAT THERE WAS NO BASIC INCOMPATIBILITY BETWEEN US FRIENDSHIP FOR BOTH ISRAEL AND LEBANON. ON THE CONTRARY, THE US BENEFITS FROM A WINDOW TO THE EAST ENABLING IT TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN ITS DEALINGS WITH THE ARAB WORLD, AND ISRAEL BENEFITS FROM THE EXISTENCE OF A DEMOCRATIC, PLURALISTIC STATE WITH NO AGGRESSIVE AIMS TOWARDS ITS NEIGHBORS. THERE IS THUS A SHARED US ISRAELI INTEREST IN PRESERVING LEBANON. IN A SENSE, HELOU SAID, BOTH THE US AND ISRAEL WILL SUFFER MORE THAN THE LEBANESE FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF THE LEBANESE STATE. THE US WILL LOSE ITS MOST IMPORTANT AND DURABLE BRIDGEHEAD IN THE ARAB WORLD. THE LEBANESE PEOPLE WILL SOMEHOW SURVIVE: THEY WILL SEEK NEW ALIGNMENTS AND PROTECTORS. THE CHRISTIANS WILL EMIGRATE, THE SUNNIS ACCOMMODATE AND THE SHIITES REVERT TO FIDING THEIR NATION IN THEIR RELIGION. THE US ON THE OHTER HAND WILL FIND ITSELF WITH EVEN LESS LEVERAGE IN THE ARAB WORLD AND ISRAEL WITH A HOSTILE, RADICAL STATE ON ITS BORDERS -- ONE IRRATIONAL IN ITS RELATIONS WITH BOTH ISRAEL AND THE US. PORTER SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET 680 2 PAGE 01 BEIRUT 01809 02 OF 02 061926Z 41 ACTION SS=45 INFO OCT-01 1046 W 097856 P R 061606Z MAR 70 '70 MAR 6 PM 10: 03 SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9834 INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY JIDDA AMEMBASSY PARIS AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV USMISSION USUN SECRE T SECTION 2 OF 2 BEIRUT 1809 EXDIS 60 WE THEN TURNED TO WHAT THE US MIGHT DO TO HELP LEBANON(HELOU'S REACTION TO SUGGESTION OF US SUPPORT FOR UN OBSERVERS REPORTED BEIRUT 17841. IN BROADEST TERMS, HELOU SAID US HAD THREE OPTIONS. FIRSTLY, IT COULD ARM LEBANON TO ENABLE IT TO COPE WITH THE FEDAYEEN. SINCE THE US SEEMED RELUCTANT TO DO THIS, THE SECOND ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE TO FORTIFY ISRAEL, THAT IS, GIVE ISRAEL THE MEANS TO FORTIFY ITS NORTHERN FRONTIER AND STOP COMMANDO INFILTJQQJXD PULT J ON * # HE SAID HE PERSONALLY WOULD FAVOR ANY SUCH US ACTION. THIRDLY, THE US CAN PREVENT JWRAZCROM# ATTACKING LEBANON, BUT HELOU SAID HE FEARED THERE WERE LIMITATIONS ON US ABILITY TO DO THIS. 70 HELOU SAID HE THOUGHT A US STATEMENT OF CONCERN OVER THE DETERIORATING BORDER SITUATION AND A PUBLIC REAFFIRMATION OF US CONCERN FOR LEBANON'S SECURITY WOULD BE USEFUL AT THIS TIME. IF THE us WANTED TO AVOID AGGRAVATING ISRAEL BY SUCH A STATEMENT, HE SUGGESTED THE ISRAELIS BE ADVISED BEFOREHAND. THE PURPOSE OF THE STATEMENT WOULD BE TO LET THE US RECOUP SOME LOST PRESTIGE IN LEBANON AND THE ARAB WORLD, CALM PUBLIC ANXIETY IN LEBANON, AND NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE * EXC-S Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 BEIRUT 01809 02 OF 02 061926Z EASE PRESSURE ON THE GOL. HE SAID HE DIDN'T THINK THE ISRAELIS COULD OBJECT IF IT WAS PUT TO THEM IN TERMS OF US INTEREST IN REGAINING SOME PRESTIGE IN LEBANON AND THE COMMON INTEREST IN BOLSTERING THE LEBANESE REGIME. 8. COMMENT: IF ISRAEL ATTACKS, HELOU WILL SOONER OR LATER HAVE TO COMMIT HIS TINY ARMY TO DEFEND THE COUNTRY. WHEN HE DOES, THE PALESTINIANS WILL INHERIT LEBANON, MEETING THEIR ONLY RESISTANCE FROM THOSE LEBANESE CHRISTIANS WHO WILL ATTEMPT TO FIGHT BACK. THIS IS HELOU'S ANALYSIS, AND I CANNOT DISAGREE. HELOU NO LONGER ENTERTAINS ANY REAL HOPE THAT WE WILL INTERVENE AT ANY STAGE OF THIS PROCESS, ONCE IT HAS BEGUN TO UNFOLD. - HE ASKS ONLY THAT WE EXERT OUR INFLUENCE ON ISRAEL TO BE SURE IT DOESN'T START. PORTER NOTE: #AS RECEIVED. CORRECTION TO FOLLOW. EXCES 30 WVB bW 03 NOT TO BE REPRODUCED 'ITHOUT SEAREHORIZATION C THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. 601/10/129 DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT DEP OF STATE UNITED THE STATES OF Department of State TELEGRAM SECRET 309 PAGE 01 BEIRUT 01763 060050Z 85/89 ACTION NEA-08 INFO OCT-01 RSR-01 SSO-00 NSCE-00 CCO-00 USIE-00 SS-20 NSC-10 INR-06 CIAE-00 IO-04 PRS-01 EUR-12 PM-03 L-02 DODE-00 RSC-01 1069 W 092122 0 051935Z MAR 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9816 INFO USMISSION USUN IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV SECRET BEIRUT 1763 LIMDIS CORRECTED COPIYTEXT PARA NBRED TWO SUBU: ISRAELI ATTACK ON LEBANON 1. DURING AMBASSADOR'S CALL ON PRES. HELOU EVENING MARCH 5 AND IN COURSE DISCUSSION OF THE SITUATION IN THE BORDER AREA, PRES. HELOU CALLED G-2 CHIEF LAHOUD TO INQUIRE ABOUT LATEST DEVELOPMENTS. LAHOUD REPORTED THAT A FORCE OF SOME TWO TO THREE HUNDRED ISRAELIS HAD CROSSED INTO LEBANESE TERRITORY NEAR THE JUNCTURE OF THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL SECTORS AT ABOUT 5 PM LOCAL AND AS OF THAT TIME (7 PM LOCAL) WERE FIRING WITH RIFLES AND AUTOMATIC WEAPONS ON THE VILLAGE OF MARWAHINE. 2. PRES. HELOU CONJECTURED IT POSSIBLE THAT ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE HAD LEARNED OF ARAFAT'S PROMISE TO CEASE INFILTRATION ACROSS LEBANESE BORDER AND THAT ISRAELIS HAD MADE INCURSION WITH AIM OF KEEPING THE AREA HEATED UP = 3. WE UNAWARE WHAT DIPLOMATIC INITATIVES AT THE UN OR ELSEWHERE THE LEBANESE PLAN TO TAKE. PORTER SECRET 51 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT STATE OF DEPARTMENT * # Department of State UNITED STATES OF ARE TELEGRAM SECRET 845 PAGE 01 BEIRUT 01757 051854Z 52-42 ACTION NEA-08 INFO OCT-01 EUR-12 SS-20 NSC=10 NSCE-00 PM-03 DODE-00 IO-04 INR-06 CIAE-00 L-02 RSR-01 RSC-01 1068 W 090083 P R 051650Z MAR 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9814 INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY JIDDA AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY MOSCOW AMEMBASSY PARIS AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV USMISSION USUN SECRE T BEIRUT 1757 LIMDIS 1) FONMIN MAJDALANI SUMMONED BIG FOUR AMBASSADORS SEPARATELY THIS MORNING (MARCH 51 TO DISCUSS ISRAELI BORDER SITUATION FOLLOWING CABINET REVIEW LAST NIGHT. CONVERSATION COVERED MUCH OF SAME GROUND AS THAT OF YESTERDAY, IN WHICH, UNDER INSTRUCTIONS I RELAYED EBAN S (NOW PUBLICIZED) DEMARCHE L' TO AMB BARBOUR. 21 MAJDALANI SAID LEBANON'S ONLY BASIS OF SUPPORT AND PROTECTION AT THIS POINT SEEMED TO BE GREAT POWERS, AND MOST PARTICULARLY US * HE SAID IT ESSENTIAL RESTRAIN ISRAEL. NEITHER US NOR LEBANON COULD LIVE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF AN ISRAELI INVASION. LEBANON HAD NOT BEEN IDLE IN CONTROLLING FEDAYEEN BORDER OPERATIONS AND WOULD CONTINUE DO ITS BEST. WHAT ISRAELIS WERE ASKING HOWEVER (TOTAL CONTROL OF FEDAYEEN INFILTRATION WAS REQUESTING LEBANON COMMIT NATIONAL SUICIDE. ISRAELIS WERE PROPOSING SIMPLY THAT LEBANON DECLARE CIVIL WAR. 31 ARABS, INCLUDING HIMSELF, COULD NOT ACCEPT PREMISE THAT US COULD NOT HAVE DECISIVE INFLUENCE ON ISRAELI DECISIONS VIS-A-VIS LEBANON. LEBANON WAS DIFFERENT FROM EGYPT, AND ITS LONG HISTORY OF CLOSE RELATIONS WITH US WAS VIEWED THROUGHOUT AREA AS ITS MAIN 32 SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE DRP Department of State UNITED TELEGRAM STATE OF SECRET PAGE 02 BEIRUT 01757 051854Z SUPPORT. MY REMONSTRATIONS RE LIMITS OF US INFLUENCE ON TEL AVIV FELL ON DEAF EARS. ARAB LEADERS AND MAN-IN-STREET ALIKE WOULD IN FACT BELIEVE, SAID MAJDALANI, THAT ISRAELI AGGRESSION AGAINST LEBANON, IF IT OCCURRED, HAD SUPPORT AND AGREEMENT OF USG. 4) 1 INFORMED MAJDALANI OF SISCO-RABIN MARCH 4 CONVERSATION IN WHICH WE URGED CONTINUED RESTRAINT AND PATIENCE ON ISRAEL'S PART (STATE 322521. MAJDALANI PRESSED HARD FOR ISRAELI REACTION. I SAID WE AS YET UNINFORMED. MAJDALANI SAID HE GREATLY FEARED DECISION MIGHT BE TAKEN BY ISRAELI MILITARY WITHOUT CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS. HE REFERRED TO GEN. GOUR AS SOLDIER WITH TOUGH REPUTATION WHO TOOK DECISIONS ON HIS OWN® HE GREATLY FEARED ISRAELIS WERE DEVELOPING PAVLOVIAN REACTION WHERE MILITARY OVERKILL WAS SOLUTION TO ALL PROBLEMS, AND LEBANON APPEARED BE NEXT VICTIM. 51 MAJDALANI REPEATED HE WAS PUZZLED BY ISRAELI PROPAGANDA BUILDUP AGAINST LEBANON OVER PAST TWO WEEKS. IT WAS TRUE THAT THERE HAD BEEN INCREASED FEDAYEEN ACTIVITY, BUT MOST OF IT WAS, ON BASIS LEBANESE ANALYSIS, RELATIVELY INSIGNIFICANT EXCEPT FOR THE ONE UNFORTUNATE CIVILIAN DEATH LEBANESE MILITARY DESERVED CREDIT FOR KEEPING FEDAYEEN OFF BALANCE, PROHIBITING LARGE- SCALE RAIDS AND FORCING FEDAYEEN TO OPERATE INDIVIDUALLY AND THEREFORE RELATIVELY INEFFECTIVELY IN THEIR INCURSIONS INTO ISRAEL. ISRAELI REACTION AND THREATS WERE FAR OUT OF PROPORTION TO SERIOUSNESS OF RECENT FEDAYEEN ACTIONS, INDIVIDUALLY OR IN THEIR TOTALITY. GOL BELIEVED ISRAELIS WERE CREATING PROPAGANDA BARRAGE WHICH WOULD SERVE AS EXCUSE FOR MILITARY ACTION WHICH THEY PLANNING AGAINST LEBANON's 61 FROM GOLDS POINT OF VIEW, ISRAELI TIMING PARTICULARLY BAD. MAJDALANI FELT THAT THINGS WERE IMPROVING IN LEBANON AND LEBANESE WERE SLOWLY GAINING INCREASED MEASURE OF CONTROL OVER FEDAYEEN ACTIONS. (RECENT ARAFAT DECISION TO STOP FEDAYEEN ACTIVITY ON BORDER WAS CLEAR PROOF THAT SITUATION NOT YET OUT OF HAND IT WAS SLOW, BUT PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE. LEBANESE ATTEMPTS TO ELICIT MORE UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT FROM OTHER ARAB STATES RE DANGERS POSED BY FEDAYEEN PRESENCE ALSO SEEMED TO BE HAVING SOME EFFECT. ISRAEL, HE FELT, MUST BE AWARE THAT INTERNAL SITUATION WAS SOMEWHAT BETTER. WHY THEN WOULD THEY TAKE THIS POINT OF TIME TO INCREASE TEMPO OF THREATS AND SPECIFICALLY THE EXPLICIT AND UGLY SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE * Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 03 BEIRUT 01757 051854Z THREAT TO CREATE A SCORCHED EARTH CORRIDOR 10 KMS IN DEPTH ALONG BORDER? THE SUBSEQUENT EXODUS OF SOUTHERN LEBANESE INTO THE REST OF CROWDED LEBANON WOULD (AND THE ISRAELIS KNEW IT) CREATE AN INSOLUBLE PROBLEM MAJDALANI CONCLUDED BY SAYING HE WISHED HE COULD BELIEVE THAT ISRAELI THREAT WAS SIMPLY AN ATTEMPT TO DETER FEDAYEEN. UNFORTUNATELY, ARAB EXPERIENCE WITH PAST ISRAELI THREATS HAD PROVED ISRAELIS USUALLY MEANT WHAT THEY SAID, OR AT LEAST FOUND IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LET ARABS BELIEVE THE THREATS WERE IDLE. HE THEREFORE EXPECTED LARGE=SCALE ISRAELI ACTION AGAINST LEBANON, UNLESS THE US COULD AVERT IT. PORTER SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE # Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMOUNT TELEGRAM SECRET 946 PAGE 01 BEIRUT 01728 050837Z EXEIS EXCES EXPIS 12 ACTION SS-45 INFO OCT-01 CCO-00 SSO-00 NSCE-00 1046 W 0 P 050814Z MAR 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT '70 MAR 5 64980 8:51 SITUATION ROOM 2 WHITE HOUSE TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9808 AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY SECRET BEIRUT 1728 EXDIS REF: BEIRUT 1727 DELIVER TO DEPT ACTION OFFICE AT OPENING OF BUSINESS 1. MICHEL KHOURY (PROTECT) HAS JUST INFORMED us MARCH 5 THAT ARAFAT'S ORDER ONLY APPLIES TO FEDAYEEN ACTIVITY IN LEBANON A- GATINS ISRAEL. ACCORDING TO KHOURY, ARAFAT MADE CLEAR THAT ORDER APPLIED TO ALL FEDAYEEN GROUPS IN LEBANON. 2. AS TO GENESIS OF ORDER, KHOURY EXPLAINED THAT GOL HAD INFORMED THE FEDAYEEN IN LEBANON OF ISRAELI THREATS AND MADE STRONG EFFORT PERSUADE THEM TO CEASE OPERATIONS AGAINST THE ISRAELIS. KHOURY BELIEVES IT WAS IN RESPONSE TO GOL REQUEST TO FEDAYEEN HERE THAT ARAFAT ISSUED HIS ORDER. KHOURY INDICATED THAT GOL WAS IN CONTACT WITH PALESTINE ORGANIZATION IN AMMAN AND MIGHT HAVE MORE INFOR- MATION LATER IN DAY. 3. IN CONCLUSION, KHOURY COMMENTED "WE OF COURSE CAN ONLY FIGHT FOR TIME." PORTER DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12958, as amended, Sect 3.5 NLN09-12/21:Re It 8-4-09 By P.H NARA, Date 10.02.09 (P. lot 1] NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THSAUHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE Canoni Department of State ORLINED DATE STATES OF TELEGRAM EXCLUS EXCES SECRET 085 PAGE 01 BEIRUT 01727 042028Z 42 '70 MAR 5 8:51 HOUSE STATE ACTION SS-45 INFO OCT-01 SSO-00 NSCE-00 CCO-00 1046 W 083383 0 P 041930Z MAR 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9807 AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY SECR ETT BEIRUT 1727 EXDIS PRESIDENTIAL CONFIDENT, MICHEL KHOURY (PROTECT) HAS JUST INFORMED EMBASSY EVENING MARCH 4.0 THAT GOL HAS RECEIVED REPORT FROM AMMAN THAT ARAFAT HAS ORDERED FEDAYEEN UNDER HIS COMMAND TO CEASE ALL OPERATIONS AGAINST ISRAEL FOR NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. KHOURY WAS NOT SURE WHETHER SAYIQA AND OTHER EXPIS EXPIS FEDAYEEN GROUPS AGREED TO ORDER OR NOT BUT EXPECTED HAVE MORE INFORMATION MID-MORNING MARCH 5. PORTER DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12958, as amended, Sect 3.5 NLN09-12/22: Per Lts 8-4-2009 By P.H NARA, Date 10.22.09 EP. /of ] NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard 47 Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE # Department of State EXETS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET 284 PAGE 01 BEIRUT 01726 01 OF 02 042146Z 81 ACTION SS=45 INFO OCT-01 1046 W '70 MAR 5 AM 8: 52 SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE 08381 R 0417352 MAR 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9805 INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY MOSCOW RUFNCR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1225 SEC R El T SECTION 1 OF 2 BEIRUT 1726/1 EXDIS DEPT PASS CAIRO EXCES SUBJECT: ARMS FOR LEBANON REF : BEIRUT 13721 STATE 026577 1. GENERAL NOUJAIM CALLED ON ME TODAY TO GET PROGRESS REPORT ON HIS ARMS REQUEST FROM USG. THIS WAS FOLLOW-UP TO MY LONG CONVERSATION ON SAME SUBJ WITH MICHEL KHOURY LATE LAST WEEK. 2. I EXPLAINED WASHINGTON HAD REQUEST UNDER CONSIDERATION BUT THERE YET NO FIRM INFORMATION. PROBLEM ONE OF AVAILABILITY AND PRICE AND WE WOULD UNDERTAKE TO GET HIM ANSWER SOON AS POSSIBLE. I REITERATED GRANT AID NOT POSSIBLE AND SAID I HOPING WE COULD RESPOND HIS REQUEST (ASSUMING AVAILABILITY) BY ESTABLISHING BEST POSSIBLE UNIT PRICE. NOUUAIM PLEADED FOR EARLY ANSWER, ANTICIPATING THAT CRISIS COULD COME IN LATE SPRING. HE HAD TO BE READY FOR IT. REITERATED THAT MAIN THREAT WAS FEDAYEEN AND ARMED REFUGEES, BACKED BY SYRIANS. NOUJAIM'S PRIMARY CONCERN WAS TO RECEIVE ANY PART OF NEW EQUIPMENT IN TIME TO ASSURE THAT PALESTINIANS WOULD THEREBY BE DETERRED FROM ATTEMPTING A DIRECT CHALLENGE TO THE LEABANESE STATE® NOUUAIM DISCUSSED ARMY'S FINANCIAL PROBLEMS IN DETAIL, AND SAID SAD FACT WAS NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE * * Department of State EXETS UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 BEIRUT 01726 01 OF 02 042146Z HE HAD NO FUNDS FOR NEW PROCUREMENT, NOR AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT LONG- TERM CREDIT. IF USG COULD WORK OUT DELIVERY OF ITEMS HE HAD REQUESTED (TANKS AND 50 CALIBER QUAD AA) AT PRICES HE COULD AFFORD TO PAY, HE WOULD HOPE WE COULD AUTHORIZE THREE YEAR CREDIT TERMS. 3. NOUUAIM HAD JUST SEEN SOVIET AMB AZIMOV. AZIMOV PREDICTED IMMINENT ISRAELI ATTACK ON LEBANON AND CHIDED NOUJAIM FOR NOT HAVING PREPARED LEBANESE ARMY TO RESIST. AZIMOV OFFERED "NO=STRINGS" GIFT TO LEBANON OF ANY KIND OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT WHICH SHE NEEDED, MENTIONING SPECIFICALLY ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONS AND TANKS. AZIMOV HAD LAID GROUNDWORK FOR HIS APPROACH TO NOUUAIM BY MAKING SAME OFFER EARLIER TO PM KARAME. KARAME HAD URGED NOUJAIM TO SEE AZIMOV AND TO CONSIDER SOVIET OFFER SERIOUSLY SINCE THERE NO INDICATION LEBANON ABLE FULFILL ITS MILITARY REQUIREMENTS FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE. 40 NOUUAIM ASSURED ME HE THANKED AZIMOV BUT FENDED HIM OFF BY SAYING LEBANESE ARMY HAS, OR HAS ORDERED, WHAT IT NEEDS AT THE MOMENT. ALSO STRESSED PROBLEM OF STANDARDIZATION. AZIMOV SAID HE HOPED LEBANESE WERE GETTING RAPID DELIVERY (THEY MIGHT NEED IT"). SAID HE COULD ARRANGE A QUICK TRANSFER OF NEEDED ITEMS FROM OTHER ARAB COUNTRIES IF LEBANON ACCEPTED. NOUUAIM REPEATED HIS EARLIER STATEMENTS TO ME THAT HE WOULD NOT PROCURE SOVIET ARMS. DID NOT INTEND LET SOVS GET THEIR FOOT IN LEBANESE DOOR. BUT HE SHOWED CONCERN OVER KARAME'S SUDDEN INTEREST IN THE MATTER, AS DO I. IN THE PAST KARAME (PRESUMABLY REFLECTING VIEWS HIS MENTOR FUAD CHEHAB) HAS ALWAYS BEEN STRONGLY OPPOSED TO DEALINGS WITH SOVIETS IN MILITARY MATTERS. 5. NOUUAIM MENTIONED IN PASSING THAT HE UNDERSTOOD DECISION HAD BEEN MADE FOR SOVIETS TO PROVIDE ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONS TO JORDAN. I SAID I HAD NO CONFIRMATION OF THIS AND ASSURED HIM THAT USG HAD BEEN SUPPLYING JORDAN WITH WIDE RANGE OF MILITARY HARDWARE. HE SAID HE WELL AWARE OF THIS SINCE MUCH OF IT TRANSITED BEIRUT PORT. 60 NOUUAIM INFORMED ME, AS KHOURY HAD EARLIER, OF LEBANON'S ATTEMPTS TO PROCURE ARMS ELSEWHERE. IN SUM, LEBANESE FOUND WESTERN NATIONS PREPARED TO SELL FOR HARD CASH, BUT NONE INTERESTED IN LENIENT TERMS, OR GIFTS. BELGIANS AND ITALIANS HAD BEEN APPROACHED (BELGIANS SPECIFICALLY FOR RIFLES) BUT NEITHER PREPARED TO PROVIDE CONCESSIONAL PRICES OR TERMS. FRENCH HAD BEEN ASKED FOR QUOTATIONS ON MANY ITEMS BUT WERE ONLY INTERESTED IN COMMERCIAL SALES AT GOING PRICES. SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED ITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION O THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT DEP OF STATE * * Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 03 BEIRUT 01726 01 OF 02 042146Z FRENCH TURNED DOWN REQUEST FOR GRANT AID OR BARGAIN BASEMENT PRICING. LEBANESE HAD SEVERAL TIMES APPROACHED GOF TO ASK FRENCH TO TAKE BACK TWELVE MIRAGE AIRCRAFT LEBANON HAS ACQUIRED SINCE JUNE 67 WAR. LEBANON FURTHER ASKED FRENCH CREDIT IT WITH PROCEEDS, WHICH WOULD THEN BE USED FOR PURCHASE IN FRANCE OF OTHER MILITARY EQUIPMENT. KHOURY INFORMED ME FRENCH TURNED HIM DOWN COLD ON THIS PROPOSAL, MOST RECENTLY WHEN HE MADE SPECIAL TRIP TO PARIS TWO WEEKS AGO. NOUUAIM MORE OPTIMISTIC, SAYING FRENCH STILL HAD MATTER UNDER ADVISEMENT. NOTE: NOT PASSED CAIRO BY OCT. EXCES EXPIS SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE # Department of State UNITED STATES OR TELEGRAM EXE-S EXCES EXCES SECRET 300 PAGE 01 BEIRUT 01726 02 OF 02 042153Z 81 ACTION SS=45 70 MAR 5 8:51 SITUATE HOUSEM SITUATION.RU WHITE HOUSE INFO OCT-01 1046 W 083863 R 041735Z MAR 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9806 INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY MOSCOW RUFNCR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1226 SECR ENT SECTION 2 OF 2 BEIRUT 1726/2 EXDIS: 7. NOUUAIM SAID MIRAGES AN UNNECESSARY AND DANGEROUS LUXURY. HE EAGER GET RID OF THEM FOR REASONS OF FINANCE AND POLITICS. EGYPTIANS NOW PUTTING GREAT PRESSURE ON HIM TO "LOAN" THEM A MIRAGE AND HE FINDING IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO EVADE THE REQUEST. ALSO, IN EVENT OF NEW WAR, LEBANESE ARMY WOULD COME UNDER UNIFIED COMMAND (EGYPTIAN), AND HE WOULD HAVE TO SEND HIS MIRAGES WHEREEVER ORDERED IN ANY CASE. SAME WOULD APPLY IF LEBANESE AIRFIELDS RENDERED INOPERABLE. HE WOULD MUCH PREFER TO DISPOSE OF MIRAGE PROBLEM NOW, AND USE PROCEEDS TO BUY BASIC MILITARY EQUIPMENT WHICH REALLY NEEDS FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE COUNTRY. HELOU SAID KHOURY, IS DESPERATE TO DISPOSE OF MIRAGES HE CANNOT FOR LONG RESIST NASSER'S INSISTENT PLEAS TO GET HIS HANDS ON ONE (COMMENT: IF MIRAGE RETURN COULD BE EFFECTED THIS WOULD BE GREAT BOON TO ARMY FINANCES. MIRAGES COST ROUGHLY 10 MILLION POUNDS EACH AND THE LEBANESE STILL OWE FRANCE ALMOST 30 MILLION POUNDS. IN ADDITION THERE WOULD BE REAL SAVINGS ON MAINTENANCE AND FLIGHT COSTS.) 80 BRITISH AMBASSADOR KING INFORMS ME THAT NOUJAIM RECENTLY ASKED WHAT SURPLUS EQUIPMENT UK MIGHT HAVE AVAILABLE EITHER AS GIFT OR AT GIVE-AWAY PRICES. HE MENTIONED SPECIFICALLY ANTI-AIRCRAFT, MOTOR TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, BUT SAID THAT ANYTHING WOULD BE WELCOME WHICH HAD UTILITY KING HAS INFORMED NOUJAIM HE DOUBTS UK WILL BE ABLE TO HELP, BUT HAS TRANSMITTED REQUEST TO LONDON. I INFORMED KING IN GENERAL TERMS OF GOL REQUEST FROM US. NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY 21 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE * Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 BEIRUT 01726 02 OF 02 042153Z EXEIS EXC-S EXPIS 9 COMMENT: TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR NOUJAIM AND LEBANESE. HE IS COMPELLED TO DO SOMETHING TO IMPROVE THE ARMY, TO ENABLE IT TO MAINTAIN INTERNAL SECURITY AGAINST THE PALESTINIAN THREAT. HE SEEMS TO BE GETTING NOWHERE WITH HIS TRADITIONAL WESTERN SUPPLIERS AND AS RESULT HE AND LEBANESE GOVT ARE INCREASINGLY VULNERABLE TO SOVIET BLANDISHMENTS. MANY VOICES ALREADY ARE BEING RAISED IN LEBANON B MOST IMPORTANTLY THAT OF MINISTER OF INTERIOR JUMBLATT- DEMANDING GOL ACCEPT SOVIET ARMS OFFER WHICH BECOMING GENERAL KNOWLEDGE. WE CAN EXPECT TO HEAR MORE OF THIS IF WE AND FRENCH ARE UNABLE TO HELP I FEEL SURE NOUJAIM WILL CONTINUE TO RESIST SOVS, BUT HE WILL ALSO OBEY ORDERS FROM HIS CIVILIAN BOSSES TO ACCEPT SOVIET OFFER IF THEY FEEL THERE NO ALTERNATIVE. (ONE CAN ALSO CONTEMPLATE LEBANESE DECIDING THERE POLITICAL ADVANTAGE TO REQUESTING URGENT DELIVERY OF SOV ARMS IF THERE IS REAL TROUBLE WITH FEDAYEEN.) 10 I HOPE USG CAN RESPOND FAVORABLY AND QUICKLY EVEN IF ONLY IN PARTIAL AMOUNTS TO NOUUAIMS REQUESTS. I ALSO FEEL THAT LEBANESE PROPOSAL TO RETURN MIRAGES HAS MANY PRACTICAL AND POLITICAL ADVANTAGES. IF FRENCH WOULD ACCEPT ALL 1 BACK, THIS WOULD FREE UP A SUBSTANTIALI AMOUNT OF AND RELIEVE PRE SSURE FROM UAR. MONEY FOR NEW PROCUREMENT, EVEN IF FRENCH WOULD ACCEPT ONLY THE THREE MIRAGES WHICH ARE NOT YET PAID FOR, LEBANON WOULD HAVE 30 MILLION BUDGETED POUNDS FOR USE FOR OTHER PURCHASES. WOULD APPRECIATE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERATION, OF A POSSIBLE APPROACH TO GOF IN PARIS URGING THEM TO BE AS RESPONSIVE AS POSSIBLE TO REQUEST FOR USG SUPPORT, THIS MIGHT BE USED AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL LEVERAGE ON FRENCH. PORTER SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUC WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION F THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. 511/10/199 DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF AUTHORIZED TELEGRAM SECRET 087 PAGE 01 BEIRUT 01725 01 OF 02 042026Z 41 MAR 5 02 8:51 SITUATION ROUSEM SITUATION WHITE HOUSE ROOM ACTION SS-45 INFO OCT-01 SSO-00 NSCE-00 CCO-00 1046 W 083327 O P 041715Z MAR 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9803 INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY AMEMBASSY JIDDA EXPIS EXQIS EXCLUS AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY KUWAIT AMEMBASSY MOSCOW AMEMBASSY PARIS AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV AMCONSUL JERUSALEM USUN 1232 EECORI ENT SECTION 1 OF 2 BEIRUT 1725/1 EXDIS DEPT PASS CAIRO SUBU: LEBANESE ISRAELI BORDER REF : TEL AVIV 1100, STATE 30852, BEIRUT 1673 (NOTAL) I SAW FON MIN MAJDALANI AND CIC GEN. NOUJAIM THIS MORNING (MARCH4), PASSING ON TO FORMER GIST TEL AVIV'S 1100 AND TO LATTER GIST USDAO TEL AVIV'S 0448-MARCH 70. EBAN'S MESSAGE CAME AS NO SURPRISE TO THEM. BOTH WERE WELL-BRIEFED ON CONVERSATION OF MARCH W BETWEEN ISRAELI NORTHERN ZONE COMMANDER GEN. GOUR AND LEBANESE SENIOR DELEGATE TO ILMAC, BRIG. SAAD. IDF HAD SENT MUCH STRONGER MESSAGE TO LEBANESE THAN HAD EBAN. IT POINTED TO ESCALATION OF BORDER INCIDENTS, SPECIAL ISRAELI CONCERN ABOUT FEDAYEEN ATTACK ON CIVILIANSNAND ENDED WITH SPECIFIC THREAT THAT ISRAEL WOULD CREATE A NO-MAN'SLAND ZONE BRULE ON LEBANESE TERRITORY. MAJDALANI REPORTED ISRAELIS SAID ZONE WOULD BE 10 KMS IN DEPT. (WE NOTE BRIG. GEN. LANER INFORMED DATT/TEL AVIV IT WOULD BE 304 KMS.) NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THESEORRORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard 47 Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF ARE TELEGRAM EXETS EXPIS SECRET PAGE 02 BEIRUT 01725 01 OF 02 042026Z 2IMAJDALANI'S REACTION WAS TO REPEAT MOST OF POINTS CONTAINED BEIRUT'S 1673. LEBANESE ARE CONTROLLING FEDAYEEN ACTION TO LIMIT OF THEIR MEANS, HE SAID® LEBANESE MILITARY IS DENYING MOVEMENT OF LARGE FEDAYEEN GROUPS ACROSS BORDER BUT IT HAS NO NO CAPABILITY TO INTERCEPT AND CONTROL SMALL GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS. LEBANESE HAVE INSISTED WITH SOME SUCCESS THAT FEDAYEEN MUST NOT FIRE INTO ISRAEL FROM LEBANESE TERRITORY AND ARE MAKING DETERMINED EFFORT STOP SUCH FIRING. THERE IS NO PROSPECT THAY CAN SECURE FEDAYEEN COMPLIANCE IN POLICY OF NO INFILTRATION. 3) LEBANESE WERE TRYING BRING INDIRECT PRESSURE ON FEDAYEEN TO KEEP BORDER QUIET. MAJDALANI KEPT ME WAITING FOR MY APPOINTMENT BECAUSE HE CLOSETED WITH VISITING LIBYAN FONMIN BUWAYSIR. MAJDALANI SAID HE PLED LEBANESE CASE TO LIBYAN, ASKED LIBYANS BRING PRESSURE ON FEDAYEEN TO CEASE BODRER PROVOCATIONS, AND GOT SOME MILD REASSURANCES AND UNDERSTANDING IN RESPONSE. HE HAD EXPLAINED LEBANON'S INTERNAL PROBLEMS AND CONSEQUENCES OF ISRAELI REPRISAL, INCLUDINGPOSSIBLE TERRITORIAL EXPANSION, IF FEDAYEEN NOT BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL. HE REMINDED BUWAYSIR THAT ARABS NOT READY TO FIGNT, AS NASSER MADE CLEAR IN RABAT SUMMIT. WHY THEN CREATE A SITUATION WHERE ISRAEL HAD PRETEXT TO SEIZE MORE ARAB TERRITORY? PRES. HELOU HAD ALSO MADE IMPASSIONED PLEA YESTERDAY IN SAME VEIN TO WYRIAN INTERIOR MINISTER TAWIL, POINTING OUT INTER ALIA THAT SAIGA FEDAYEEN GROUP WAS CREATION OF AND RESPONSIVE TO DIRECTION FROM SYRIAN REGIME, BUT REFUSED DEAL REASONABLY WITH GOL. HELOU BLUNTLY ASKED TAWIL TO HAVE ORDERS ISSUED TO SAIQA TO COOPERATE WITH GOL BOTH WITH RESPECT LEBANESE INTERNAL SECURITY, AS WELL AS BORDER OPERATION. TAWIL AGREED, BUT LEBANESE OF COURSE EXPECT LITTLE OR NOTHING TO COME OF IT. TAWIL HOWEVER EXPRESSED DOUBT THAT ISRAEL WOULD ATTACT LEBANON, AND HELOU, FACED WITH LATEST IDF THREAT, EXPIS BLUNTLY CHALLENGED THIS PREMISE. MAJDALANI REVIEWED MANY ATTEMPTS GOL HAD MADE TO CONTROL FEDAYEEN AND TO GAIN FEDAYEEN UNDERSTANDING OF LEBANON'S DILEMMA. HE SAID GOL, WITH SUPPORT OF MOST LEBANESE, IS DETERMINED KEEP PRESSURE ON FEDAYEEN THROUGH ALL POSSIBLE MEANS, BUT GOL MUST RULE OUT AS IMPOSSIBLE A REPETITION OF THE OCTOBER FEDAYEEN WAR. 51) MAJDALANI TALKED YESTERDAY WITH SOV AMB AZIMOV. AZIMOV REPORTED SOVS IN MOSCOW HAD REQUESTED ARAFAT ACHIEVE UNITY NOT TO BE REPRODUCE WITHOUT THEEATHORIZATION THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEP OF DEPARTMENT STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 03 BEIRUT 01725 01 OF 02 042026Z IN PALESTINIAN RESISTANCE MOVEMENT AND AT SAME TIME DEMANDED RESPECT OF PALESTINIANS FOR SOVEREIGNTY OF HOST COUNTRIES IN WHICH THEY OPERATE. AZIMOV ALSO IMPLIED THAT SOVS SUPPORT CONTINUANCE OF HASHEMITE RULE IN JORDAN AND TAKE DIDM VIEW OF PALESTINIAN THREAT TO HUSSEIN. MAJDALANI CHARGED AZIMOV TO PUT PRESSURE ON SYRIANS AND IRAQIS TO CONTROL ACTIONS OF THEIR OWN CAPTIVE COMMANDO GROUPS (AS-SAIQA AND ARAB LIBERATION FORCE), SAYING THESE WERE GREATEST THREAT TO JORDAN AND LEBANON. HE SAID LEBANESE AUTHORITIES HAD FOUND ARAFAT AND FATEH RELATIVELY COOPERATIVE AND REASONABLE, BUT UNABLE SECURE COMPLIANCE OF OTHER COMMANDO GROUPS, ABOVE ALL SAIQA. AZIMOV SAID SOVS WERE APPROACHING SYRIAN AND IRAQ ON THIS POINT. (MAJDALANI IS SKEPTICAL.) NOTE: NOT PASSED CAIRO BY OCT. EXPIS NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE EXPIS Department of State GRITING STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 177 PAGE 01 BEIRUT 01725 02 OF 02 042107Z 82 ACTION SS-45 INFO OCT-01 NSCE-00 SSO-00 CCO-00 1046 W 70 MAR 5 8:51 SITUATION ROM HOUSE 083536 O PI 041715Z MAR 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9804 INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY AMEMBASSY JIDDA AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY KUWAIT AMEMBASSY MOSCOW AMEMBASSY PARIS AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV AMCONSUL JERUSALEM USUN 1233: SECRET SECTION 2 OF 2 BEIRUT 1725/2 EXDIS: 61 MAJDALANI THOUGH SITUATION WAS IMPROVING SLIGHTLY IN LEBANON. HE HOPED GOL WOULD BE GIVEN TIME TO MUSTER SUPPORT FROM OTHER ARAB STATES TO ACHIEVE SOME MEASURE OF CONTROL OVER FEDAYEEN. IF ISRAELIS WERE SERIOUSLY CONTEMPLAYING CREATION NO-MAN'S LAND, HOWEVER, THIS WOULD ASSURE THAT FEDAYEEN AND NOT LEBANESE WOULD CONTROL BORDER. THE NO-MAN'S LAND WOULD BECOME AN EXTRA-TERRITORIAL PALESTINIAN ENCLAVE AND, WHAT EVER THE CONSEQUENCES TO LEBANON, THE ISRAELIS WOULD ALSO BE FACED WITH A NEW AND MORE DIFFICULT SITUATION. EXPIC THE END RESULT OF THIS, HE FELT, WOULD BE ESCALATED ISRAELI MILITARY REPRISALS, LEADING ULTIMATELY TO FURTHER ISRAELI AGGRESSION INTO LEBANON TO "NATURAL BOUNDARIES", I.E., THE LITANI RIVER. THIS THREAT WAS OF COURSE ALSO STATED BY IDF BRIG.GEN.LANER TO DATT. 71 I MADE SPECIAL MENTION OF ISREALI CONCERN RE CIVILIAN LOSS OF LIFE. MAJDALANI SAID HE UNDERSTOOD (AND REGRETTED THERE HAD BEEN ONE ISRAELI CIVILIAN DEATH, BUT THAT MOST FEDAYEEN RAIDS HAD PRODUCED RELATIVELY MINOR ACTS OF SABOTAGE WITH NO SERIOUS DAMAGE. NOUUAIM POINTED OUT TO ME NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE EXETS Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 BEIRUT 01725 02 OF 02 042107Z LATER THAT IT WORKED BOTH WAYS-- ISRAELI ATTACKS ON LEBANON AT END OF 1969 HAD KILLED AT LEAST TEN LEBANESE CIVILIANS AND WOUNDED MANY MORE. 81 MAJDALANI SAID HE DID NOT KNOW HOW TO SATISFY ISRAELIS. SOME TIME AGO, ISRAELIS COMPLAINED BITTERLY TO LEBANESE ARMY OF FIRINGS FROM LEBANON INTO ISRAEL. LEBANESE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO WORK TO TRY TO STOP THIS, HAVING RECEIVED ISRAELI ASSURANCES THAT THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF INFILTRATION IF LEBANON CONTROLLED THE ACCROSS-BORDER FIRING. NOW ISRAELIS HAVE SWITCHED TACTICS AND ARE DEMANDING LEBANESE MUST CONTROL INFILTRATION AS WELL. MUCH AS LEBANON WOULD LIKE TO DO SO, IT FINDS THE TASK BEYOND ITS CAPACITY. ISRAEL SAID MAJDALANI, UST HERSELF BEAR SOME RESOPONSIBILITY FOR PROTECTING HER OWN TERRITORY. IF THE EFFICIENT ISRAELI ARMY CANNOT DO SO, HOW CAN ONE EXPECT THE TINY LEBANESE ARMY TO ACCOMPLISH THE TASK, WITH A PALESTINIAN FIFTH COLUMN OF SOME 300,000 AT ITS BACK? 91 GEN NOUJAIM, WHOM I SAW LATER, EXPRESSED GRAVE CONCERN OVER THE DETERIORATING BORDER SITUATION. HE REMINDED ME HE WAS DOING EVERYTHING HE CUOULD TO STOP FEDAYEEN OPERATIONS, AND I BELIEVE HE MEANS IT. HE WOULD LIKE TO DO MORE BUT RESTRAINED BY SIZE OF ARMY AND BY REQUIREMENTS THAT ARMY MUST BE DISPERSED THROUGHOUT LEBANON TO MEET MOST URGENT THREAT FORM THE PALESTINIAN REFUGEE CAMPS. HE WOULD SEAL OFF THE BORDER IF HE COULD, BUT ISRAEL SHOULD CERTAINLY KNOW THAT THIS TASK IS BEYOND CAPACITY OF LEBANESE MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT. IN COURSE OF CONVERSATION, NOUJAIM MENTIONED AGAIN HIS URGENT ARMS REQUEST (SEPTEL) TO USG BUT SAID IF HE HAD BUT ONE REQUEST FROM USG, IT WOULD BE TO RESTRAIN ISRAEL. IF ISRAEL MADE GOOD ON ITS MOST RECENT THREATS RE LEBANON, CONSEQUENCES FOR LEBANON, FURTURE WOULD BE INCAL- CULABLE- (COMMENT: NOUUAIM'S UNEXPPRESSED CONCERN IS SIMPLY THAT ISRAELI ATTACT WOULD FORCE HIM TO COMMIT LEBANESE ARMY TO THE SOUTH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN ITS DESTRUCTION AND CERTAINLY RESULTING IN AN IMMEDIATE MAJOR THREAT TO INTERNAL SECURITY ELSEWHERE IN LEBANON BY THE FEDAYEEN AND THE ARMED PALESTINIAN REFUGEES.) 101 I AM SEEING HELOU TOMORROW NIGHT (MARCH5) AND I AM SURE I WILL GET SAME LINE. I WILL OF COURSE REITERATE TO NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT TRECAOTHORIZATION C- THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 03 BEIRUT 01725 02 OF 02 042107Z HIM, AS I DID TO MAJDALANI, DEEP US CONCERN OVER BORDER SITUATION AND OUR SUPPORT FOR LEBANON,S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY. I FIND IT INCREASINGLY HARD, HOWEVER, TO CONVINCE MYSELF, LET ALONE LEBANESE, THAT ISREAL RULES OUT POLICY OF SEIZING AND HOLDING LEBANESE TERRITORY. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT IF ISREALIS CARRY THROUGH ON THEIR "NO-MAN'S LAND" THREAT, ONE SURE RESULT WILL BE TO TURN THIS COUNTRY OVER TO THEI FEDAYEEN, WITH CIVIL WAR A LIKELY BY-PRODUCT. THE "JORDANIZATION" OF LEBANON WILL THEN PROCEED AT A MUCH MORE RAPID PACE THAN IT HAS IN JORDAN. MANY MORE ISRAELIS WILL DID IN THIS PROCESS THAT IF THE UNEASY STALEMATE OF THE MOMENT IS MAINTAINED IF THE STATUS QUO CONTINUES, WITH ISRAEL RETALIATING (IF IT MUST ATTACK AT ALLI) ONLY ON SPECIFICALLY PIN-POINTED FEDAYEEN TARGETS, WE MAY BE ABLE AVOID A SHARP AND SUDDEN DETERIORATION. AT SAME TIME, I THINK IT ISFAIR FOR USG TO ASK ISRAEL TO ENDEAVOR IMPROVE ITS OWN NORTHERN BORDER DEFENSES. LEBANON CONNOT REALISTICALLY BE EXPECTED CARRY ENTIRE BURDEN AS ISREAL'S POLICE FORCE. IN THIS CONNECTION, I SUGGEST RE-READING BEIRUT'S 261 OF JANUARY 11, IN WHICH HELOU DISCUSSES ISRAELI BORDER PROBLEM AND CONSEQUENCES OF ISRAELI ATTACK ON LEBANON. PORTER NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THEORETHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF W/T It DEP STATE S EXP- Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SUMMARY SECRET 316 PAGE 01 BEIRUT 01673 031914Z 42 43 ACTION SS-45 EXCLUS INFO OCT-01 /046 W 075584 R 031600Z MAR 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9787 INFO AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV SECRET BEIRUT 1673 EXDIS REF: TEL AVIV 1100, STATE 30852 1) I DISCUSSED LEBANESE ISRAELI BORDER SITUATION AT LENGTH WITH PRESIDENTIAL CONFIDANT MICHEL KHOURY LAST WEEK AND HAVE APPOINTMENT SEE FONMIN MAJDALANI TOMORROW (WED). WE OF COURSE SELDOM HAVE CONTACT WITH A SENIOR LEBANESE OFFICIAL IN WHICH WE DO NOT RAISE QUESTION. QUITE APART FROM EBANS DEMARCHE, ISRAELIS HAVE MADE THEIR CONCERNS CLEAR IN RECENT PUBLIC STATEMENTS, AND LEBANESE ARE FULLY AWARE ISRAELI ATTITUDES. THEY ALSO AWARE AND DEEPLY DEPRESSED BY INCREASED FEDAYEEN ACTIVITY OVER WIDER AREA OF BORDER (BEIRUT 1582 AND A97). 21 FACT IS LEBANESE WAITING WITH NUMBNESS FOR WHAT THEY CONSIDER TO BE CERTAIN ISRAELI RETALIATION. WE HAVE REPORTED THIS MANY TIMES BEFORE AND I CAN ONLY REEMPHASIZE THAT LEBANESE FACED WITH CHOICE OF CONFRONTING FEDAYEEN OR ACCEPTING ISRAELI REPRISALS MUST CHOOSE LATTER. THE EXCES DAY HAS PASSED, KHOURY MADE CLEAR TO ME WHEN THE LEBANESE CAN CONFRONT FEDAYEEN IN AN ALL OUT ENCOUNTER WHICH INEVITABLY WOULD FOLLOW ATTEMPT TO BLOCK ACROSS BORDER INFILTRATION. LEBANON CAN SIMPLY NOT SURVIVE ANOTHER FEDAYEEN WAR. 31 THERE ARE MANY REASONS FOR THIS. AS CIC GEN NOUJAIM TOLD ME, THERE ARE NOW AT LEAST 50,000 ARMED MEN IN LEBANON WHO WOULD FIGHT AGAINST THE GOL WHOSE ARMY CONTAINS PERHAPS 10,000 EFFECTIVES. EVEN IF LEBANESE ARMY ACCEPTED THIS NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE SECRET AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OR AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 BEIRUT 01673 031914Z CHALLENGE GOL WOULD FACE THE ALL OUT HOSTILITY AND MILITANCY OF REST OF ARAB WORLD, AND SYRIA WOULD MOST CERTAINLY FIND WAYS TO INTERVENE. GOL AND ARMY INTEND EXERT EXATS MAXIMUM PRESSURE ON FEDAYEEN BUT THIS PRESSURE CAN NOT REALISTICALLY STOP INFILTRATION INTO ISRAEL. IT NEVER COULD - THE ARMY DOES NOT HAVE THE MANPOWER. LEBANESE ARE THEREFORE LIMITED TO TRYING TO DEAL AND REASON WITH FEDAYEEN = A PROCESS WHICH THEY HAVE FOUND LARGELY NON-PRODUCTIVE IF NOT FUTILE. 4) KHOURY MADE CLEAR TO ME THAT PRES HELOU AND GEN NOUJAIM WERE DOING EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO KEEP FEDAYEEN IN CHECK. AT SAME TIME WE MUST FRANKLY CHRACTERIZE THEIR EFFORTS AS A REAR GUARD ACTION. FEDAYEEN BORDER CROSSINGS AND FREEDOM TO ACT AGAINST ISRAEL CANNOT BE DENIED WITHOUT STARTING IN TRAIN A PROCESS WHICH EVENTUALLY WOULD DESTROY LEBANON. 51 AS KHOURY PUT IT, WHEN I MENTIONED DEATH OF ISRAELI WOMEN, THERE HAVE BEEN CIVILIAN DEATHS ON BOTH SIDES. THIS IS PERHAPS AS "INTOLERABLE" TO LEBANON AS AN ISRAELI DEATH IS TO ISRAEL. HE REMINDED ME OF INDISCRIMINATE ISRAELI AIR ATTACKS ON LEBANON IN DEC AND JAN IN WHICH SEVERAL LEBANESE CIVILIANS WERE KILLED OR WOUNDED. ALSO ISRAELIS STILL HOLD DOZEN LEBANESE SOLDIERS AS HOSTAGES AS RETALIATION AGAINST AND DETERRENT TO FEDAYEEN ACTION - A TOTALLY IRRELEVANT DETERRENT AS FAR AS PALESTINIANS ARE CONCERNED. HE SUMMARIZED THE LEBANESE POSITION BY SAYING THAT FOR YEARS LEBANON ACTED AS ISRAELS POLICEMAN BUT NOW ISRAEL WOULD HAVE TO ASSIST IN PROTECTING HER OWN BORDERS. TO THE EXTENT ISRAEL DID SO IT WOULD MAKE IT EXPIRES EASIER FOR LEBANON TO CONTINUE TO HANDLE THE FEDAYEEN 61 ISRAELIS MUST OF COURSE ACCEPT MUCH BLAME FOR CURRENT DETERIORATION SITUATION IN LEBANON® THEY HAVE BEEN THREATENING LEBANON PUBLICLY EVER SINCE JUNE 1967 WAR, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY REVEAL TO US OF THEIR PRIVATE INTENTIONS. BEIRUT AIRPORT RAID IN DECEMBER 1968 BASICALLY ALTERED ATTITUDES AND POLITICAL BALANCE OF LEBANON AND so SHOOK THE COUNTRY THAT FEDAYEEN WERE ENABLED TO SEIZE A FOOTHOLD AND EXPLOIT THE SITUATION BY THE TIME THE LEBANESE CAME TO THEIR SENSES SEVERAL MONTHS LATER IT WAS NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET EXCES EXCES EXPIS PAGE 03 BEIRUT 01673 031914Z TOO LATE AND FEDAYEEN WERE A PERMANENT FIXTURE. BY SAME TOKEN ISRAELI ATTACKS ON LEBANON HAVE OPPOSITE EFFECT TO THAT INTENDED. EACH ATTACK ONLY CONFIRMS LEBANESE CONVICTION THAT ISRAELI INTENDS ULITMATELY TO SEIZE AND HOLD LEBANESE TERRITORY. (CURRENT ISRAELI PROTESTATIONS TO USG CONTRAST SHARPLY WITH EARLIER ISRAELI THREATS MOST RECENT OF WHICH WAS DAYANS IN JANUARY BEIRUTS 2611 ISRAELI RETALIATION ONLY BOLSTERS FEDAYEEN STRENGTH AND NEUTRALIZES CAPACITY OF GOL TO CONTROL FEDAYEEN. FACT IS ISRAELIS ARE GRADUALLY SUCCEEDING IN FORCING LEBANON TO MAKE COMMON CAUSE WITH PALESTINE RESISTANCE MOVEMENT AGAINST THE WISH AND THE WILL OF MOST LEBANESE CITIZENS. AN ADDITIONAL DAMAGING BY PRODUCT OF ISRAELI PRESSURE ON LEBANESE BORDER WILL BE A FURTHER EXODUS OF RESIDENTS OF SOUTH LEBANON. THIS HAS ALREADY ACCELERATED AS RESULT ISRAELI STATEMENT IN LAST FEW DAYS AND ISRAELIS ARE CERTAINLY AWARE OF IT. CONSEQUENCES OF ATTEMPTING TO ABSORB 200,000 TO 300,000 DISINHERITED SOUTHERNERS INTO REST OF LEBANON WILL PUT INTOLERABLE STRAIN ON THIS COUNTRY. 71 COMMENT: IT WILL COME AS NO SURPRISE TO THEM WHEN I INFORM LEBANESE AGAIN THAT ISRAELIS HAVE ISSUED A CLEAR WARNING. THEY HAVE BEEN EXPECTING ISRAELI ACTION FOR SEVERAL DAYS. DEPTS INSTRUCTIONS THAT I ASK LEBANESE TO "STEP UP CONTROL MEASURES TO PREVENT FURTHER FEDAYEEN ACTIONS ORIGINATING FROM LEBANESE TERRITORY" WILL HOWEVER, FALL ON DEAF EARS. LEBANESE ARE NOT GOING TO ACCEPT ADVICE FROM USG WHICH WOULD LEAD TO CIVIL WAR, AND AS OUR PAST REPORTING SHOULD HAVE MADE ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THE LEBANESE HAVE NO CAPACITY TO EXERCISE SUCH CONTROL. NEITHER GIVEN THEIR FINANCIAL PROBLEMS HAVE THEY BEEN ABLE SECURE FROM USG OR ANY OTHER SOURCE ADDITIONAL ARMS WHICH WOULD PROVIDE LEBANESE ARMY OR LOYAL LEBANESE CIVILIANS WITH THE CREDIBLE FORCE WHICH COULD FACE DOWN THE FEDAYEEN. IF USG IS UNABLE TO RESTRAIN ISRAEL OR AT LEAST SECURE ISRAELS UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSITION THAT RETALIATION MUST BE CAREFULLY RESTRICTED TO FEDAYEEN TARGETS THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF LEBANONS EVADING ISRAELI REPRISALS WHICH WILL IN TURN LEAD TO BREAKDOWN OF LEBANONS POLITICAL STABLITY. CONSEQUENCES OF THIS WILL BE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT ISRAELIS EXPECT OT ACCOMPLISH CONTROL OF DEDAYEEL. LEBANON WILL BE INCREASINGLY DRAWN INTO SUPPORT OF ARAB CAUSE AND WILL BECOME A PAWN OF PALESTINIANS: ISRAELIS WILL THEN FEEL NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. EXCES UNITED DIPARTMENT * STATES OF STATE * Department of State TELEGRAM OF SECRET PAGE 04 BEIRUT 01673 031914Z THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO ESCALATE ATTACKS AGAINST LEBANON AND WILL SOONER OR LATER BE FORCED MAKE GOOD ON THEIR THREATS TO SEIZE LEBANESE TERRITORY. HELOU HAS MADE CLEAR TO ME AT IN THE EVENT HE EXPECTS USG WILL DECRY THE ACT BUT BE ABLE DO NOTHING ABOUTTIT. PORTER EXPIS NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE SECRET AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. 811/10/199 DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE felanon * Department of State of STATES AMERICA UNITED TELEGRAM SECRET 915 PAGE 01 BEIRUT 01372 201553Z 41 ACTION SS-45 INFO OCT-01 1046 W 016461 '70 FEB 20 PM 5:03 VSITUATION ROOM P 201453Z FEB 70 USE FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9724 SECRE T BEIRUT 1372 EXDIS 1. 1 I MET FEB 19 WITH GEN NOUJAIM AND HE PRODUCED THE LEBANESE RE- QUEST FOR U.S. ARMS. IT IS A SIMPLE AND MODEST LIST = 50 M-41 TANKS (OR M-42S AS SECOND CHOICE) : FROM 100 TO 200 .50 CALIBER QUADRUPLE AAA GUNS : 5,000 ANTI-PERSONNEL AND ANTI-TANK MINES: 10 BULLDOZERS. 2. NOUJAIM EXPLAINED THAT BUDGET LIMITATIONS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO CONTEMPLATE BUYING NEW, SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT. HIS PRESENT BUDGET WAS "MAINTENANCE BUDGET" AND THERE WAS NO AUTHORITY AS YET FOR CREDIT PURCHASES. EVEN IF CREDIT AUTHORIZED BY PAR- LIAMENT, HE DOUBTFUL THAT FUNDS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR EXTENSIVE NEW PROCUREMENT. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR FINANCIAL AND OTHER REASONS TO EXPAND ARMY APPRECIABLY AND HE COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY CASH EVEN FOR THE MODEST REQUEST WHICH HE WAS DISCUSSING WITH ME . HE ALLUDED TO RECENT CONVERSATION I HAD HAD WITH PRES HELOU AND SPEAKING FOR PRESIDENT AND HIMSELF SAID GOL HOPED USG WOULD BE ABLE PROVIDE A GRANT OF THE ABOVE SHOPPING LIST. 3. I SAID AS I HAD EXPLAINED TO HELOU THERE NO LEGAL AUTHORITY EXPIS AVAILABLE TO THE USG OF WHICH I AWARE WHICH WOULD ENABLE US TO PROVIDE GRANT MILITARY AID TO LEBANON. I WENT INTO BACKGROUND ON CONGRESSIONAL ASPECTS AND ON THE LIMITATIONS WHICH NOW APPLIED TO GRANT AID THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. MY INITIAL REACTION WAS THAT, NO MATTER WHAT THE WILL OF USG, THERE NO WAY WHICH COULD BE FOUND TO PROVIDE A GRANT OF MILITARY EQUIP NT OF THIS NATURE. NOUJAIM THEN ASKED IF IT WERE NOT POSSIBLE TO SECURE SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE EQUIPMENT FROM SURPLUS STOCKS IN GERMANY OR ELSEWHERE AT PRICES SUFFICIENTLY LOW so THAT THE GOL MIGHT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE COST. HE WAS NOT LOOKING FOR NEW EQUIPMENT, BUT ONLY TO ADD NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THSEATHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE # Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 BEIRUT 01372 201553Z TO EXISTING GOLI INVENTORY (BASICALLY WORLD WAR II EQUIPMENT) WHICH ALREADY IN USE. ANYTHING IN "MEDIUM CONDITION" WOULD DO. HIS PROBLEM WAS TO GET DELIVERY IN A HURRY IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DEAL MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH DUAL THREATS OF THE FEDAYEEN AND SYRIA, AND TIME WAS OF THE ESSENCE. WHAT IS OBSOLETE FOR YOU, SAID NOUJAIM, IS STILL USEABLE AND EFFECTIVE FOR LEBANON. 4. WE LEFT IT THAT 1) GOL SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT GRANT AID PROB- ABLY IMPOSSIBLE: 21 I WOULD REPORT HIS REQUEST URGENTLY TO WASH- INGTON TO SEE WHAT WAS BEST DEAL WE COULD WORK OUT. 5. COMMENT 8 OVER THE PAST 10 DAYS BOTH HELOU AND MICHEL KHOURY HAVE PRESSED ME ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF US GRANT MILITARY AID TO LEBANON. I HAVE CONSISTENTLY MADE IT CLEAR THAT I FELT GRANT AID WAS OUT OF THE QUESTION. BUT LEBANESE, GIVEN THEIR PRESENT FINANCIAL STRAITS AS WELL AS THE URGENCY OF THE FEDAYEEN PROBLEM, ARE TURNING TO US IN DESPERATION. THEY HAVE NO OUTSIDE SUBSIDIES FROM REST OF ARAB WORLD, AS DOES JORDAN, AND NO POSSIBILITY OF EXPIS GETTING THEM. IT SEEMS TO ME, IF WE ARE TO HELP LEBANON IMPROVE ITS INTERNAL SECURITY CAPABILITIES THE ONLY FEASIBLE SOLUTION IS TO OFFER EQUIPMENT AT LOW UNIT PRICES WHICH MAY CONCEIVABLY BE WITH- IN LEBANESE ABILITY TO PAY. I WOULD HOPE THE DEPARTMENT AND THE PENTAGON COULD APPROACH THE MATTER IN THIS LIGHT. 6. I AM ENCOURAGED THAT THE LEBANESE ARE BEING REALISTIC IN THEIR DEMANDS AND NOT PLACING UNNECESSARY STRAINS ON THE NATIONAL BUDGET. BOTH THE M - 4 1 TANKS AND THE .50 CALIBER AAA GUNS WOULD BE EFFECTIVE WEAPONS IN EVENT OF ANOTHER FEDAYEEN CONFRONTATION OR OF THREAT- ENED SYRIAN INTERVENTION. THEY WOULD ALSO SERVE INHIBIT FEDAYEEN FROM RASH ACTIONS. IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE FOR LEBANESE CONSIDER BUYING ANY SOPHISTICATED NEW EQUIPMENT AT THIS TIME, AND IT GRATIFYING THAT THEY HAVE DISPENSED WITH THOUGHTS OF HIGH-PRICED HELICOPTERS EXPIS OR ROCKETS, MUCH AS THEY MIGHT WANT THEM. NOUJAIM HAS OBVIOUSLY THOUGHT THROUGH THESE REQUIREMENTS CAREFULLY, AND IN SOMEWHAT UN- LEBANESE FASHION HAS SET HIMSELF REALISTIC GOALS. AS FOR INFANTRY WEAPONS THE LEBANESE SEEM TO HAVE GIVEN UP THE IDEA OF BUYING M = 1 4 OR M = 16 RIFLES. I PRESUME THEY ARE SECURING WHATEVER ADDI- TIONAL STANDARD INFANTRY WEAPONS THEY NEED FROM FRENCH SOURCES. PORTER NOT TO BE REPRODUCE VITHOUT THSEA REPORIZATION THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. 611/10/199 DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE # Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM EXCES EXE™S EXCLUS SECRET 888 PAGE 01 BEIRUT 00905 021821Z 46 ACTION SS-45 INFO OCT-01 1046 W 038255 R 021700Z FEB 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9612 INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY JIDDA AMEMBASSY KUWAIT AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV USMISSION USUN 70 FEB 3 AM 8:22 HOUSE WHITE SECR ETT BEIRUT 905 DEPT PASS CAIRO EXDIS: 1. DESPITE PERSPECTIVE OF PRESIDENT'S ME PRESS CONFERENCE, ADVERSE REACTION HERE CONTINUES RUN STRONG. LEBANESE ARE DISHEARTENED AND HAVE JOINED OTHER ARABS IN INTERPRETING STATEMENT AS DE FAVAO AGREEMENT SELL MORE PHANTOMS TO ISRAEL GIVEN CURRENT ARAB MISTRUST OF US ME POLICY, WE CAN ASSUME THAT ARABS WILL TAKE NO REAL INITIA- TIVE ON US PEACE PROPOSALS UNTIL US POSITION ON FURTHER ARMS SALES TO ISRAEL ANNOUNCED. 2. WHATEVER HAS BEEN SAID PUBLICLY, LEBANESE WERE HEARTENED BY SECRETARY'S DECEMBER 9 GALAXY ADDRESS, ALTHOUGH AS WE HAVE REPORTED THEY WERE SUSPICIOUS OF US INTENTIONS AND CONJECTURED WHETHER WE WOULD RETREAT FROM POSITION LAID DOWN BY SECRETARY. MISINTER- PRETING THE LETTER OF JAN 25 TO JEWISH LEADERS, THE ARABS SAW BEGINNING OF THE EROSION OF OUR DEC 9 DECISION. THEIR INTERPRETA- TION OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE REMARKS HAS CONVINCED MOST OF THEM EROSION IS CONTINUING, AND THAT OUR SUPPORT OF ISRAEL OVER- RIDES OUR DESIRE FOR PEACE. 3. ONE MUST HAVE SOME SYMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING FOR THIS ARAB REACTION. ARAB TARGETS ARE BEING HIT WITH IMPUNITY BY ISRAELI PLANES. THE PHANTOM HAS ADDED A NEW RANGE AND DIMENSION TO ISRAEL'S CAPACITY TO ATTACK® IN ARAB EYES ISRAELIS ARE COMMITTED TO HOLDING NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE SECRET AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE Department of State OF STATES AMERICA ORING TELEGRAM SECRET EXPIS EXPIS PAGE 02 BEIRUT 00905 021821Z OCCUPIED TERRITORIES AND TO REJECTING CONCEPT OF NOV 22 RESOLUTION WHICH UAR AND JORDAN AT LEAST HAVE PROFESSED TO ACCEPT. THERE ARE NO VISIBLE INDICATIONS FROM ARAB VANTAGE POINT THAT ISRAELIS HAVE SHOWN DISPOSITION TO PAY EVEN A MODEST PRICE FOR A REAL SET- TLEMENT. ON THE CONTRARY, ISRAEL IS BUSILY CREATING FACTS WHICH WILL CHANGE THE MAP - SETTLEMENTS ARE BEING ESTABLISHED IN OCCUPIED AREAS AND JERUSALEM IS DAILY TRANSFORMED. ONLY A HANDFUL OF DIS- PLACED PERSONS HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO RETURN AND THE WAR IS BEING CARRIED TO HITHERTO UNTOUCHED AREAS SUCH AS LEBANON AND THE NILE. 40 IN ABOVE CONTEXT THE DISMAY OF HUMILIATED ARABS AT PROSPECT OF ADDITIONAL US ARMS FOR ISRAEL IS MORE THAN UNDERSTANDABLE. FRANKLY, I AM CONCERNED THAT DISMAY WILL TURN TO RAGE WHICH WILL BE DIRECTED AGAINST AMERICAN PRESENCE IN ARAB WORLD. CERTAINLY THE ARGUMENT THAT MIRAGES TO LIBYA WILL UPSET MILITARY BALANCE IN ME IN NEXT SEVERAL YEARS HAS NO BASIS FOR ACCEPTABILITY HERE. ALL ARABS KNOW THE QUALITATIVE MILITARY ADVANTAGE HELD BY THE ISRAELIS. THEY ALSO KNOW IT WILL BE MANY YEARS BEFORE ARAB WORLD CAN FIND ENOUGH PILOTS FOR PLANES IT ALREADY HAS. 5. I UNDERSTAND THE MANY FACTORS WHICH MUST BE BROUGHT TO BEAR IN MAKING DECISION ON ISRAEL'S ARMS REQUEST. I CAN ONLY EXPRESS A PERSONAL JUDGMENT THAT A FAVORABLE RESPONSE BY USG IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES WILL PROBABLY CREATE DEAD END IN OUR CURRENT PEACE- MAKING EFFORTS. I ALSO BELIEVE IT WILL DO MORE DAMAGE TO OUR INTERESTS IN ME THAN DID INITIAL PHANTOM DECISION. 6. IF FAVORABLE DECISION IS TO BE MADE, I URGE THAT IT BE ONE ONLY OF PRINCIPLE WITH ACTUAL DELIVERIES TO BE HELD OFF UNTIL PEACE- MAKING EFFORTS HAVE FOUNDERED ON MANIFEST ARAB OR SOVIET INTRAN- SIGENCE, OR UNLESS SOVIETS ESCALATE ARMS SALES TO ARABS. AS IT NOW STANDS, US ARMS SALE WILL APPEAR TO BE REWARDING ISRAEL FOR HER INTRANSIGENCE WHILE INDIRECTLY CONDEMNING ARABS. A GUID PRO QUO WOULD GO FAR TO HELP. IF ISRAEL SHOULD ACCEPT US PEACE PROPOSALS, OBVIOUSLY THERE WOULD BE A TOTALLY DIFFERENT RATIONALE FOR OUR SENDING HER ARMS. EVEN AN ISRAELI SIGNATURE ON THE NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY WOULD MAKE THE THREAT OF THE PHANTOM DELIVERY SYSTEM LESS MENACING. BUT WITHOUT SOME INDICATION THAT ISRAELIS PREPARED ACCEPT US VIEWS ON HOW TO ACHIEVE PEACE IN THE ME. ARABS ARE GOING TO ASK WHAT LEVERAGE WE HAVE LEFT IN IN= FLUENCING ISRAELI POLICY. NOT TO BE REPRODUCED THOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE # Department of State of STATES AMERICA OLINO TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 03 BEIRUT 00905 021821Z 7.IF THERE IS ANY USEFUL GUIDANCE WHICH DEPT CAN PROVIDE ON THIS QUESTION, I WOULD APPRECIATE BEFORE CALLING ON PRES HELOU TOWARDS END CURRENT WEEK. ALSO, PRIMIN KARAME NOW TALKING TO NASSER IN CAIRO, AND I HOPE SEE HIM SHORTLY AFTER HIS RETURN. PORTER NOTE: NOT PASSED CAIRO BY OC/T. SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT DRA OF STATE * Lebanon EXC-0 * Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 956 PAGE 01 BEIRUT 00970 041915Z 52 ACTION SS-45 INFO OCT-01 1046 W 052479 R 041703Z FEB 70 270 FEB 4 PM 13 SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9627 INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV SECRET T BEIRUT 970 EXDIS REF : STATE 16712 SUBU: ARAB=ISRAEL NEGOTIATIONS 1. ON FEB 4 EMBOFF REVIEWED SECRETARY'S FEB 2 CONVERSATION WITH ARAB AMBASSADORS WITH FONQFF DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, KHALIL MAKKAWI, WHO HAD NOT YET SEEN ANY REPORT FROM LEBANESE AMBASSADOR. 20 MAKKAWI FIRST REACTION ("SO YOU WANT TO BRING BACK JARRING?") REFLECTED GENERAL FEELING OUT HERE THAT JARRING EFFORT HAS RUN ITS COURSE. EMBOFF REPLIED WE SEE NO BETTER ROUTE TO A RESUMPTION OF NEGOTIATIONS. 3. ALLUDING TO SECRETARY'S POINT THAT NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT MUST BE BUILT ON AN ISRAELI COMMITMENT TO WITHDRAW AND AN ARAB COM- MITMENT TO ACCEPT ISRAEL. MAKKAWI PROTESTED THAT RESPONSIBLE ARAB GOVERNMENTS HAVE ALREADY FULFILLED THEIR SIDE OF THE BARGAIN BY ACCEPTING RESOLUTION 242. IT IS NOW UP TO ISRAEL TO FOLLOW SUIT. EMBOFF RECOGNIZED THAT SUCH ISRAELI ACTION WOULD MAKE FURTHER COMPROMISE EASIER FOR THE ARABS. UNFORTUNATELY GOI SEEMED ADAMANT AND USG HAD ALREADY GONE AS FAR AS IT COULD GO IN ADVOCATING A BALANCED FORMULA FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 242. BY AGREEING TO RESUME INDIRECT NEGOTIATIONS ON BASIS OF 242, ARABS HAD DRAMATIC OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR WILLINGNESS TO MAKE UNPLEASANT POLITICAL CONCESSIONS FOR SAKE OF PEACE. IN SO DOING, THEY WOULD PLACE ISRAEL UNDER STRONG MORAL OBLIGATION TO SHOW EQUIVALENT GOOD NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT or STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 BEIRUT 00970 041915Z FAITH AND USG WOULD HAVE NEW ARGUMENT TO USE WITH GOI. 4. MAKKAWI COUNTERED THAT PAST EXPERIENCE INDICATED THAT GOI WOULD NOT ONLY SPURN SUCH A GESTURE BUT WOULD USE ITS ALLEGED CONTROL OF INTERNATIONAL MEDIA TO TWIST THE FACTS AND SADDLE THE ARABS WITH THE BLAME FOR THE FAILURE TO RESUME NEGOTIATIONS. EMBOFF EXPRESSED VIEW THAT ARAB ACCEPTANCE OF ROGERS' PROPOSALS WOULD CONSTITUTE INCONTESTABLE EVIDENCE OF SINCERITY OF ARAB SUPPORT FOR 242. PROSPECT OF GETTING BACK ON THE ROAD TO PEACE WAS WELL WORTH THE SLIGHT POLITICAL RISK. ALTERNATIVE - - PROTRACTED WAR 99 IS INFINITELY MORE PAINFUL TO: CONTEMPLATE. 5. MAKKAWI ARGUED THAT IT WOULD BE FOOLISH FOR ARAB GOVERNMENTS TO EXPEND POLITICAL CAPITAL IN QUEST FOR HONORABLE PEACE IF GOI IS COMMITTED TO DISHONORABLE SURRENDER. IN HIS VIEW, PRIMARY OB - JECTIVE OF ISRAELI AIR ATTACKS ON EGYPTIAN DELTA IS TO MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR NASSER TO NEGOTIATE. EMBOFF COMMENTED THAT IF ISRAELI CRITICISM OF ROGERS' PROPOSALS REFLECTED UNDUE MILITANCY ON PART OF GOI, ARABS COULD EASILY EXPOSE THIS SITUATION BY ACCEPTING THOSE PROPOSALS. PORTER EXCLUS NOT TO BE REPRODUCED 'ITHOUT THBEORETORIZATION C HE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. 121/10/189 DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE SANITIZED COPY * Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 651 2 PAGE 01 BEIRUT 01633 0311282 11 ACTION SS-45 INFO OCT-01 1046 W 072998 R 031030Z MAR 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9783 INFO AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV AMEMBASSY AMMAN SECRET BEIRUT 1633 '70 MAR 3 AM 10:01 NY WOOD WHITE HOUSE EXDIS HAS INFORMED HE REPORTED ROSENWASSER IS WELL AND WELL TREATED. THE SOURCE STATED THAT ROSENWASSER WAS STILL IN JORDAN Perse 3.3(b)(6) SANITIZED EMBASSY OFFICER THAT HE HAS RECENTLY SEEN ROSENWASSER. AND ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT RPT NOT INDICATE ROSENWASSER'S PRECISE WHEREABOUTS, THE EMBOFF HAD THE IMPRESSION IT WAS AMMAN. PORTER EXQIN NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12958, as amended, Sect 3.5 NLN NLN09-12/23 Per See 3. (b)(1)(6) 8-4-2009 By P.H NARA, Date 10-22-09 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. HAK OF STATE Department of State GELLING STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 316 Wd E NAR OL. PAGE 01 BEIRUT 01673 031914Z WONT UTIVILIS WHITE HOUSE 43 ACTION SS-45 Y INFO OCT-01 /046 W 07558 R 031600Z MAR 70 F.M AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9787 INFO AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV SECRETBEIRUT 1673 EXDIS REF: TEL AVIV 1100, STATE 30852 1) I DISCUSSED LEBANESE ISRAELI BORDER SITUATION AT LENGTH WITH PRESIDENTIAL CONFIDANT MICHEL KHOURY LAST WEEK AND V HAVE APPOINTMENT SEE FONMIN MAJDALANI TOMORROW (WED). WE OF COURSE SELDOM HAVE CONTACT WITH A SENIOR LEBANESE OFFICIAL IN WHICH WE DO NOT RAISE QUESTION. QUITE APART FROM EBANS DEMARCHE, ISRAELIS HAVE MADE THEIR CONCERNS CLEAR IN RECENT PUBLIC STATEMENTS, AND LEBANESE ARE FULLY AWARE ISRAELI ATTITUDES. THEY ALSO AWARE AND DEEPLY DEPRESSED BY INCREASED FEDAYEEN ACTIVITY OVER WIDER AREA OF BORDER (BEIRUT 1582 AND A97). 21 FACT IS LEBANESE WAITING WITH NUMBNESS FOR WHAT THEY CONSIDER TO BE CERTAIN ISRAELI RETALIATION. WE HAVE REPORTED THIS MANY TIMES BEFORE AND I CAN ONLY REEMPHASIZE THAT LEBANESE FACED WITH CHOICE OF CONFRONTING FEDAYEEN OR ACCEPTING ISRAELI REPRISALS MUST CHOOSE LATTER. THE DAY HAS PASSED, KHOURY MADE CLEAR TO ME WHEN THE LEBANESE CAN CONFRONT FEDAYEEN IN AN ALL OUT ENCOUNTER WHICH INEVITABLY WOULD FOLLOW ATTEMPT TO BLOCK ACROSS BORDER INFILTRATION. LEBANON CAN SIMPLY NOT SURVIVE ANOTHER FEDAYEEN WAR. 31 THERE ARE MANY REASONS FOR THIS. AS CIC GEN NOUJAIM TOLD ME, THERE ARE NOW AT LEAST 50,000 ARMED MEN IN LEBANON WHO WOULD FIGHT AGAINST THE GOL WHOSE ARMY CONTAINS PERHAPS 10,000 EFFECTIVES. EVEN IF LEBANESE ARMY ACCEPTED THIS NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE SECRE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE Department of State STATES AMERICA UNING TELEGRAM OF SECRET PAGE 02 BEIRUT 01673 031914Z CHALLENGE GOL WOULD FACE THE ALL OUT HOSTILITY AND MILITANCY OF REST OF ARAB WORLD, AND SYRIA WOULD MOST CERTAINLY FIND WAYS TO INTERVENE. GOL AND ARMY INTEND EXERT V MAXIMUM PRESSURE ON FEDAYEEN BUT THIS PRESSURE CAN NOT REALISTICALLY STOP INFILTRATION INTO ISRAEL. IT NEVER COULD a THE ARMY DOES NOT HAVE THE MANPOWER LEBANESE ARE THEREFORE LIMITED TO TRYING TO DEAL AND REASON WITH FEDAYEEN B A PROCESS WHICH THEY HAVE FOUND LARGELY NON-PRODUCTIVE IF NOT FUTILE. 41 KHOURY MADE CLEAR TO ME THAT PRES HELOU AND GEN NOUJAIM WERE DOING EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO KEEP FEDAYEEN IN CHECK. AT SAME TIME WE MUST FRANKLY CHRACTERIZE THEIR EFFORTS AS A REAR GUARD ACTION. FEDAYEEN BORDER CROSSINGS AND FREEDOM TO ACT AGAINST ISRAEL CANNOT BE DENIED WITHOUT STARTING IN TRAIN A PROCESS WHICH EVENTUALLY WOULD DESTROY LEBANON. 51 AS KHOURY PUT IT, WHEN I MENTIONED DEATH OF ISRAELI WOMEN, THERE HAVE BEEN CIVILIAN DEATHS ON BOTH SIDES. THIS IS PERHAPS AS "INTOLERABLE" TO LEBANON AS AN ISRAELI DEATH IS TO ISRAEL. HE REMINDED ME OF INDISCRIMINATE ISRAELI AIR ATTACKS ON LEBANON IN DEC AND JAN IN WHICH SEVERAL LEBANESE CIVILIANS WERE KILLED OR WOUNDED. ALSO ISRAELIS STILL HOLD DOZEN LEBANESE SOLDIERS AS HOSTAGES AS RETALIATION AGAINST AND DETERRENT TO FEDAYEEN ACTION - A TOTALLY IRRELEVANT DETERRENT AS FAR AS PALESTINIANS ARE CONCERNED. HE SUMMARIZED THE LEBANESE POSITION BY SAYING THAT FOR YEARS LEBANON ACTED AS ISRAELS POLICEMAN BUT NOW ISRAEL WOULD HAVE TO ASSIST IN PROTECTING HER OWN BORDERS. TO THE EXTENT ISRAEL DID SO IT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR LEBANON TO CONTINUE TO HANDLE THE FEDAYEEN. V 61 ISRAELIS MUST OF COURSE ACCEPT MUCH BLAME FOR CURRENT DETERIORATION SITUATION IN LEBANON. THEY HAVE BEEN THREATENING LEBANON PUBLICLY EVER SINCE JUNE 1967 WAR, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY REVEAL TO US OF THEIR PRIVATE INTENTIONS. BEIRUT AIRPORT RAID IN DECEMBER 1968 BASICALLY ALTERED ATTITUDES AND POLITICAL BALANCE OF LEBANON AND so SHOOK THE COUNTRY THAT FEDAYEEN WERE ENABLED TO SEIZE A FOOTHOLD AND EXPLOIT THE SITUATION BY THE TIME THE LEBANESE CAME TO THEIR SENSES SEVERAL MONTHS LATER IT WAS NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard SECRET Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE Department of State UNING AMERICA TELEGRAM STATES OF SECRET PAGE 03 BEIRUT 01673 031914Z TOO LATE AND FEDAYEEN WERE A PERMANENT FIXTURE. BY SAME TOKEN ISRAELI ATTACKS ON LEBANON HAVE OPPOSITE EFFECT TO THAT INTENDED. EACH ATTACK ONLY CONFIRMS LEBANESE CONVICTION THAT ISRAELI INTENDS ULITMATELY TO SEIZE AND y HOLD LEBANESE TERRITORY. (CURRENT ISRAELI PROTESTATIONS TO USG CONTRAST SHARPLY WITH EARLIER ISRAELI THREATS MOST RECENT OF WHICH WAS DAYANS IN JANUARY BEIRUTS 2611 ISRAELI RETALIATION ONLY BOLSTERS FEDAYEEN STRENGTH AND NEUTRALIZES CAPACITY OF GOL TO CONTROL FEDAYEEN. FACT IS ISRAELIS ARE GRADUALLY SUCCEEDING IN FORCING LEBANON TO MAKE COMMON CAUSE WITH PALESTINE RESISTANCE MOVEMENT AGAINST THE WISH AND THE WILL OF MOST LEBANESE CITIZENS. AN ADDITIONAL DAMAGING BY PRODUCT OF ISRAELI PRESSURE ON LEBANESE BORDER WILL BE A FURTHER EXODUS OF RESIDENTS OF SOUTH LEBANON. THIS HAS ALREADY ACCELERATED AS RESULT ISRAELI STATEMENT IN LAST FEW DAYS AND ISRAELIS ARE CERTAINLY AWARE OF IT. CONSEQUENCES OF ATTEMPTING TO ABSORB 200,000 TO 300,000 DISINHERITED SOUTHERNERS INTO REST OF LEBANON WILL PUT INTOLERABLE STRAIN ON THIS COUNTRY. V 71 COMMENT: IT WILL COME AS NO SURFRISE TO THEM WHEN I INFORM LEBANESE AGAIN THAT ISRAELIS HAVE ISSUED A CLEAR WARNING. THEY HAVE BEEN EXPECTING ISRAELI ACTION FOR SEVERAL DAYS. DEPTS INSTRUCTIONS THAT I ASK LEBANESE TO "STEP UP CONTROL MEASURES TO PREVENT FURTHER FEDAYEEN ACTIONS ORIGINATING FROM LEBANESE TERRITORY" WILL HOWEVER, FALL ON DEAF EARS. LEBANESE ARE NOT GOING TO ACCEPT ADVICE FROM USG WHICH WOULD LEAD TO CIVIL WAR, AND AS OUR PAST REPORTING SHOULD HAVE MADE ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THE LEBANESE HAVE NO CAPACITY TO EXERCISE SUCH CONTROL. NEITHER GIVEN THEIR FINANCIAL PROBLEMS HAVE THEY BEEN ABLE SECURE FROM USG OR ANY OTHER SOURCE ADDITIONAL ARMS WHICH WOULD PROVIDE LEBANESE ARMY OR LOYAL LEBANESE CIVILIANS WITH THE CREDIBLE V FORCE WHICH COULD FACE DOWN THE FEDAYEEN. IF USG IS UNABLE TO RESTRAIN ISRAEL OR AT LEAST SECURE ISRAELS UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSITION THAT RETALIATION MUST BE CAREFULLY RESTRICTED TO FEDAYEEN TARGETS THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF LEBANONS EVADING ISRAELI REPRISALS WHICH WILL IN TURN LEAD TO BREAKDOWN OF LEBANONS POLITICAL STABLITY. CONSEQUENCES OF THIS WILL BE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT ISRAELIS EXPECT OT ACCOMPLISH (CONTROL OF DEDAYEEL. EBANON WILL BE INCREASINGLY DRAWN INTO SUPPORT OF ARAB CAUSE AND WILL BECOME A PAWN OF PALESTINIANS. ISRAELIS WILL THEN FEEL NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE SECRET AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. UNITED DEPARTMENT STATES OF As STATE * Department. of State A TELEGRAM OF S SECRET PAGE 04 BEIRUT 01673 031914Z THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO ESCALATE ATTACKS AGAINST LEBANON AND WILL SOONER OR LATER BE FORCED MAKE GOOD ON THEIR THREATS TO SEIZE LEBANESE TERRITORY. HELOU HAS MADE CLEAR TO ME THAT IN THE EVENT HE EXPECTS USG WILL DECRY THE ACT BUT BE ABLE DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. PORTER S NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE EXCIS Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 190 PAGE 01 BEIRUT 01055 061753Z 42 ACTION SS-45 70 FEB PM 6:256 SITUATION RITUATION SITUATION WHITE HOUSE INFO OCT-01 /046 W 066251 PR 061711Z FEB 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9650 INFO AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV AMEMBASSY AMMAN SECR ET BEIRUT 1055 EXDIS REF: TEL AVIV 624 ON THE BASIS OF DISCREET INQUIRIES WE HAVE MADE HERE, ROSENWASSER EX@ TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE IS NOT IN LEBANON. FYI. WE HAVE SUG- GESTED TO A LEBANESE MILITARY SOURCE THAT IF ROSENWASSER IS ILL APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES MIGHT WISH TO SUGGEST TO FATAH THAT HE BE SENT TO BEIRUT FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. LEBANESE PRESUMABLY WOULD KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THAT JUNCTURE. HOWEVER, WE FRANKLY DOUBT THAT FATAH, UNLESS ROSENWASSER IS SERIOUSLY ILL, WOULD BUY THIS ONE PORTER NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THISPHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon residential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE WH Department of State UNITED STATES of ? TELEGRAM CONFIDENTIAL 424 PAGE 01 STATE 137302 EXPIS EXPIS EXAIS 85 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 1046 R 66641 DRAFTED BY NEA/ARN: AIKILLGORE SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE APPROVED BY: NEA MR DAVIES NEA/ ARN- MR SEELYE 8:41 29 2 3 JUL AM NEA/ EX- MR HUNT S/S- 0 : MR HOLLY 061700 R 290052Z JUL 71 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT CONFIDENTIALSTATE137302 EXDIS SUBJ: SYRIA: PROPOSED AMERICAN CONSULAR PRESENCE REF: BIERUT 6293 1. DEPT APPRECIATES EMBASSY'S CONSIDERED VIEWS RE ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN SARG APPROVAL FOR ASSIGNING AMERICAN CONSULAR OFFICER AND SECRETARY TO DAMASCUS. WE ALSO CONCUR WITH YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW THIS SHOULD BE DONE AND SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZE YOU TO PROCEED AS FOLLOWS: A) MAIOLINI SHOULD APPROACH ORALLY APPROPRIATE SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY LEVEL WITH VIEW TO OBTAINING SARG APPROVAL FOR ASSIGNING AMERICAN CONSULAR OFFICER AND SECRETARY TO DAMASCUS B) MAIOLINI SHOULD POINT OUT THAT CONSULAR BURDEN IN BEIRUT TOO HEAVY TO ALLOW DETAILING BEIRUT OFFICER FOR DAMASCUS WORK. ALSO OUR EXAMINATION OF WORKLOAD STATISTICS INDICATES OUR OFFICER WOULD BE WELL OCCUPIED IN SYRIAN CAPITAL CI MAIOLINI SHOULD SEEK ASSURANCES THAT AMERICANS ASSIGNED DAMASCUS WOULD HAVE SAME IMMUNITIES AS USINT OFFICERS OF ITALIAN EMBASSY DAMASCUS. INDICATION OF SYRIAN WILLINGNESS TO DESCRIBE IMMUNITIES IN WRITING SHOULD ALSO BE SOUGHT. NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY CONFIDENTIAL Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. UNITED ESPARTMENT STATES OF AMERICAN STATE Department of State TELEGRAM of CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 STATE 137302 EXPIS EXPIS EXAIS DI MAIOLINI SHOULD ASSURE SYRIANS USG READY TO EXTENDRECIPROCAL PRIVILEGES IN WASHINGTON TO VISITING OFFICER FROM SYRIAN UN MISSION OR TO OFFICER ASSIGNED TO PAKISTAN EMBASSY WASHINGTON. 2. FORMAL WRITTEN RESPONSE TO SYRIAN NOTE WOULD BE DELAYED UNTIL COMPLETION MAIOLINI/ SARG DISCUSSIONS. WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDG- MENT WOULD LIMIT CONSUL'S FORMALI DUTIES TO PASSPORTS AND VISAS UNLESS ABOVE DISCUSSIONS HAVE INDICATED THAT SARG WOULD NOT OBJECT TO WIDER SCOPE. ROGERS МООЯ MOOR NOITAUTIS MA sa all NOT TO BE REPRODUCED HOUT THONAUDHORIZATION OF E EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. sel/10/1e9 DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN TELEGRAM CONFIDENTIAL 495 PAGE 01 STATE 134512 EXPIS EXETS EXQIS 87 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 /046 R 66643 DRAFTED BY: NEA/ARN: AIKILLGORE APPROVED BY: NEA:JOSEPH J. SISCO NEA/EX: MR HUNT SITUATION ROOM WHITE-HOUSE NEA/ARN: MR SEELYE "71 JUL 24 AM 8:07 07 NEA:MR ATHERTON S/S=0: SEFRY 029003 R 240115Z JUL 71 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT CONFIDENTIAL STATE 134512 EXDIS SUBJ: SYRIA: PROPOSED AMERICAN CONSULAR PRESENCE REF: BEIRUT 6293 1 * WE APPRECIATE EMBASSY'S CAREFUL ANALYSIS OF PROBLEMI AND RECOMMENDATION THAT WE ACCEPT IN PRINCIPLE SYRIAN PROPOSAL FOR WEEKLY VISIT TO DAMASCUS OF AMERICAN CONSULAR OFFICER FROM BEIRUT. HOWEVER PRACTICAL AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS LEAD US TO FAVOR TRYING TO OBTAIN WITHOUT DELAY SARG AGREEMENT FOR ASSIGNING AMERICAN OFFICER AND SECRETARY TO DAMASCUS. 2. CONSULAR WORKLOAD AT EMBASSY BEIRUT IS TDO HEAVY FOR AN OFFICER TO BE SPARED FROM EMBASSY COMPLEMENT FOR UP TO THREE DAYS weekly IN DAMASCUS. ASSIGNMENT TO BEIRUT OF AN EXTRA OFFICER TO PERFORM DAMASCUS DUTIES WOULD PRESENT VERY DIFFICULT PROBLEMS. FEWER DIFFICULTIES FOR DEPARTMENT WOULD BE POSED B ASSIGNING OFFICER AND SECRETARY TO DAMASCUS. 3 . ANOTHER CONSIDERATION IS THAT ONCE IT IS ESTABLISHED SARG MIGHT RECOME ACCUSTOMED TO, AND RELUCTANT TO CHANGE, SYSTEM OF VISITING AMERICAN CONSULAR OFFICER. UNDER THIS ARRANGEMENT CONFIDENIIAL NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. UNITED DEPARTMENT STATES OF OF AMERICA STATE Department of State TELEGRAM CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 STATE 134512 SYRIANS WOULD HAVE CONVENIENCE OF VISA AND OTHER SERVICES IN DAMASCUS WHILE ADVANTAGE TO USG WOULD BE LIMITED. ACCORDINGLY, a SARG COULD BE TEMPTED TO DRAG ITS FEET ON ASSIGNMENT TO DAMASCUS OF AMERICAN a PERSONNEL. 4 ₱ REQUEST EMBASSY'S REACTIONS, TOGETHER WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON SUBSTANCE Use AND MANNER OF PRESENTING OUR PROPOSAL TO SARG. ROGERS EXPIS CONFIDENTIAL NOT TO BE REPRODUCED VITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be 961/10/109 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DEPARTMENT OF STATE * * Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 678 PAGE 01 STATE 121371 SITUATION ROC WHITE HOU WHITE HOU EXPIS EXPIS EXPIS 83 ORIGIN SS-45 2 7 AM 8:46 46 INFO OCT-01 1046 RI 66643: DRAFTED BY: NEA/ARN:TWSEELYE NEA&ALATHERTON, JR APPROVED BY: NEA 8 ALFRED LI ATHERTON, JR TO/UNP: MR ARMITAGE (SUBS) S/S-O GLRUECKERT 020737 PIRI 0700532 JULI 71 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN USMISSION USUN NY SECR E T STATE 121371 EXDIS SUBJECT: JERUSALEM AT UNSC REF: BEIRUT 5786 YOU MAY IN YOUR DISCRETION INFORM SADAQA THAT WE COMMENCE OUR CONSULTATIONS WITH JORDANIANS: IN NEW YORK of ON JULY 7 AND THAT IN INTEREST OF ORDERLY COORDINATIONS WE BELIEVE ONGOING DISCUSSION OF THIS QUESTION SHOULD NOW BE CENTERED THERE GP=3' IRWIN NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE EXPIS * Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN TELEGRAM CONFIDENTIAL 676 2 PAGE 01 STATE 117055 91 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 /046 R 66639 SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE DRAFTED BY: NEA/ARN:TUSCOTES "71 JUN 30 AM 9:08 08 APPROVED BY: NEA - JOSEPH J. SISCO NEA/ARN # MR. SEELYE NEA/ARN - MR. KILLGORE S/S-O:BRIMS IO/UNP - MISS SCHRAGE (PHONE) NEA 5M MR. ATHERTON 101038 P R 300105Z JUN 71 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN CONFIDENTIAL STATE 117055 EXDIS SUBJ: US: POSITION RE RAISING JERUSALEMI ISSUE IN SECURITY COUNCIL REF# STATE 116162: BEIRUT 5585 WE REPEATING STATE REFTEL WHICH WILLI GIVE YOU GENERALI GUIDANCE ON JERUSALEM IN ORDER TO REPLY TO SADAQA. WE NOW PLANNING HAVE FIRST CONSULTATION WITH JORDANIAN AMBASSADOR SHARAF TOMORROW, JUN 30, AND WILLIKEEP YOU INFORMED. ROGERS EXCLUS NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY CONF IDENTIAL Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE * Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 091 PAGE 01 STATE 069351 EXPIS EXPIR SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE 71 APR 23 AM 11:46 46 2 81 ORIGIN SS=45 INFO OCT-01 1046 R 66635 DRAFTED BY: NEA/ARN:TSCOTES/PSUTHERLAND APPROVED BY: C-PEDERSEN ARN-SEELYE NEA=ATHERTON:SISCO S/S BREWSTER 097534. R 230147Z APR 71 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT SECRET STATE 069351 EXDIS SUBJECT PROPOSED SCHEDULE FORI SECRETARY'S VISIT REF: STATE 67190 1 ° FOLLOWING ARE OUR IDEAS ON SCHEDULEI FOR SECRETARY'S VISIT® REQUEST YOUR COMMENT AND ANY SUGGESTED CHANGES WHICH YOU MIGHT HAVE. WHEN SCHEDULES AREI FINALIZEDY REQUEST THAT THEY BE TREATED AS CLASSIFIED AND, IN PARTICULARY THAT EVERY EFFORT BE MADE TO AVOID PUBLICIZING ARRIVAL ANDI DEPARTURE TIMES. SCHEDULES: MAY BE DISCUSSED WITHI HOST GOVT SUGGESTED SCHEDULE FOR SECRETARY'S VISIT TO BEIRUT MAY 3 10 4 MAY 3 4:15 PoMo ARRIVE DEPART BY HELICOPTER TO ambassa DOR'S RESIDENCE 6130 P.M. INFORMAL DISCUSSION WITH AMBASSADORI AND KEY MEMBERS: OF HIS STAFF AT AMBASSADOR'S! RESIDENCE. NOT TO BE BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE & " Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET EXPIS EXPIS EXBIC PAGE 02 STATE 069351 7:00 PeMo CALL ON PRESIDENT FRANGIE AT PRESIDENTIALI PALACE 8:00 P.Mo STAG DINNER HOSTED BY PRESIDENT FRANGOE PREFERABLY INCLUDING ONLY FEW SENIOR LEBA- NESE, MEMBERS OF VISITING PARTY, AND ambassa- DOR' MAY 4 10:00 AoMe MEET WITH PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN MINISG. TER AT AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE 1:00 PoMo LUNCH AT EMBASSY RESIDENCE FOR SELECTED LEBANESE LEADERS BOTH IN AND OUT OFI GOVT (TO BE DESIGNATED). 3830 PoMo DEPART FOR AIRPORT. 2 ₱ SECRETARY PREFERS AVOID SOCIAL OCCASIONS WHEREVERI POS SIBLE. WE ALSO DO NOT WANT TO MAKEI ANY SCHEDULE TOO CROWDED's AS TRIP WILLI BE LONG AND DIFFICULT ONEL GP = 2 ROGERS ROOM WHITE HOUSE '7/ APR 23 AM 46 NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE # * Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET 943: PAGE 01 STATE! 049958 82 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 1046 R #71 MAR 25 AM 8:21 66640 DRAFTED BY NEA/ARN*AIKILLGORE /NEA*RPDAVIES APPROVED BY: NEA - RODGER Ple DAVIES NEA/ARN-MR. SEELYE S/S=0 RDEMMONS 126386 R 250200Z MAR 71 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN USINT CAIRO AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV USMISSION USUN NEW YORK SE CREET STATE 049958 EXDIS EXPLA EXPIS SUBJECT CALL BY LEBANESE AMBASSADOR 1. LEBANESE AMBASSADOR KABBANI PAID COURTESY CALLI MARCHI 24. ON ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY DAVIES, PREPARATORY Tor RETURNING TO BEIRUT ON MARCH 26 FOR PERIOD OF UPI TO TWO weeks CONSULTATIONS HE UNDERSTOOD THAT T T T WO OR THREE OTHER LEBANESE AMBASSADORS WOULD BE IN BEIRUT AT SAME TIME AND HIS GOVERNMENT FELT THAT COMPARING NOTES MIGHT BE USEFUL BEFORE LEAVING HEI WOULD APPRECIATE RECEIVING DEPARTMENT. FROM MR. DAVIES A REPORT ON THE MIDDLEIEAST AS SEEN BY THE STATE 2. THE TOUR D'HORIZON BEGAN WITH THE RECENT WASHINGTON VISIT OF ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER EBAN. DAVIES SAID THAT EBANI HELD THAT THE JARRING TALKS WERE NOT AT AN IMPASSE BUT THAT THE BALLI WAS: IN THE UAR COURT. HE DESCRIBED ISRAEL'S RESPONSE TO THEI UAR AS CONSTRUCTIVE AND MADE CLEAR THAT ISRAEL HAD POSEDI NO CONDITIONS BUT HAD SET FORTH ITS POSITION ON WITHDRAWALL FOR OUR PART'S WEW TOO, DO NOT FEELI THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE AT AN IMPASSE BUT HOLD THAT THE NEXT MOVE IS UP TO ISRAEL IN THE FORM OFI A MORE DEFINITIVE SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State EXPIS UNITED STATES OF MEMBER TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 STATE 049958 REPLY TO JARRING IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR US: TO TELLI ISRAELI WHAT ITS REPLY SHOULD BE, BUT WE ARE ENCOURAGING A RESPONSE WHICH WILL PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR CONTINUING NEGOTIATIONS: AS MR. EBAN INDICATED, THE USG IS NOT USING PRESSURE AGAINST ISRAELL BUT WE ARE ENCOURAGING THE TAKING OF POSITIONS THAT WILLI ENSURE CONTINUED NEGOTIATIONS WHICH ARE CENTRALI TO A SETTLEMENT. 3. THE AMBASSADOR ASKED ABOUT SENATOR JACKSON'S STATEMENT THAT INCLUSION OF THE SOVIET UNION IN AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEI FORCE WOULD MAKE PERMANENT THE SOVIET MILITARY PRESENCE WHEREAS WE SHOULD BF TRYING TO GET THEM OUT. MR. DAVIES REPLIED THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF AGREEMENT IT WAS PREMATURE TO DISCUSS THEI DETAILS OF GUARANTEES OR PEACEKEEPING FORCES. IDEALLY A BILATERALI PEACE CONTRACT BASED ON MUTUAL CON=IDENCE MIGHT NOT REQUIRE UN FORCES. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE PARTIES MIGHT AGREE THAT THESE WERE ESSENTIAL TO ALLAY THEIR FEARS FOR THE FUTURE. IT WAS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE US OPPOSED DETAILED DISCUSSIONS AMONG THE FOUR POWERS OFI DETAILS OF GUARANTEES. THESE CAN ONLY BE COMPLEMENTARY AND SUPPLEMENTARY TO AGREEMENT IT SEEMED TO HIM THAT THE BEST WAY TO GET THE RUSSIANS OUT OF THEI MIDDLE EAST WAS TO ACHIEVE AGREE- MENT ON PEACE AMONG THE PARTIES. AS FAR AS BIG FOUR PARTICIP- ATION IN A PEACEKEEPING FORCE, THIS WAS HYPOTHETICALI UNTILI SOME AGREEMENT IS REACHED. 4. DAVIES SAID OUR OVERALLI VIEW ABOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND PEACE PROSPECTS CONTINUES TO BE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC. WE SEEI THE JARRING TALKS AS THE FORUM IN WHICH THE PARTIES CAN HAMMERI OUT A / SETTLEMENT. THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS CONTINUES. THEI GUNS: INI THEI MIDDLE EAST HAVE BEEN SILENT FOR ALMOST EIGHT MONTHS AND BOTHI SIDES HAVE COME FURTHER FORWARD THAN WOULD HAVE BEENI THOUGHT POSSIBLE A YEAR AGO. THE EGYPTIANS HAVE ACCEPTED THEI PROPOSITION OF PEACE WITH ISRAEL AND HAVE USEDI PUBLICLY THE WORDI AGREEMENT WHILE THE ISRAELIS HAVE SPOKEN OF WITHDRAWALI TO RECOGNIZED ANDI SECURE BORDERS. ONE HAD ONLY TO LOOK BACK TO THEI FRUITLESS 1968 VISITS OF AMBASSADOR JARRING TO JERUSALEM AND CAIRO IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET ACCEPTANCE OF THESE WORDS TO PERCEIVE THE DEGREE OF MOVEMENT IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. 5. DAVIES CONTINUED THAT THE FEDAYEEN HAD SEEMED TO BE A SERIOUS OBSTACLE TO PEACE ONLY A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEREAS HE BELIEVED THAT THE BULK OF THE PALESTINIANS NOW APPRECIATE THAT PFLP EXTREMISTS: NEARLY BROUGHT THEM TO DISASTER. HE THOUGHT THAT MOST NOW WOULD SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED THOUT THE AUTHORIZATION O HE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN TELEGRAM EXPIS EXPIS SECRET PAGE 03 STATE 049958 ACCEPT SETTLEMENT ALONG THE LINES OF THEI AMERICAN INITIATIVE. AMBASSADOR KABBANI INTERJECTEDI THAT KING HUSSEIN HADI BEEN FAR TOO RUTHLESS IN PUTTING DOWN THE FEDAYEEN LAST SEPTEMBER. A DISCUSSION ENSUED IN WHICH DAVIES POINTED OUT THAT KING HUSSEINI HAD HAD TO FIGHT THE FEDAYEEN TO MAINTAIN HIS OWN AUTHORITY AND THAT HE HADI SHOWN RESTRAINT FOR MONTHS IN THE FACE OF FEDAYEENI PROVOCATION KABBANI RECOGNIZED THAT THERE HAD BEEN FEDAYEENI EXCESSES UT FELT THAT KING HUSSEIN'S FORCES HAD BEEN TOO RUTHLESS. THE FEDAYEEN PHASE OF THE DISCUSSION CONCLUDED WITH MR ® DAVIES STATING THAT HOWEVER ONE VIEWED THE EVENTS OF LAST SEPTEMBER, THE FEDAYEEN ARE GENERALLY IN DISARRAY ANDI SEEM TO BE MORE REALISTIC NOW WITH RESPECT TO A MIDDLE EASTERN POLITICAL settlement. AMBASSADOR KABBANI AGREED. 6. THE LEBANESE AMBASSADOR SPOKE OF HIS DEEPI DISTRUST OF ISRAELI MOTIVES. HE SAW ISRAEL'S INSISTENCE ON HOLDING SHARMI ali SHAYKHI AND ITS EMPHASIS ON SECURITY AS A COVER FOR AN EXPANSIONIST POLICY. KABBANI NOTED WRYLY WHAT STRUCK HIM AS AN OVER-EMPHASIS IN THEI ......................... US ON SECURITY FOR ISRAEL. DAVIES NOTED THAT ONE OF THEI BIGGEST PROBLEMS OF THE ARAB- ISRAELI DISPUTE IS THE MUTUALI SUSPICION AND DiSTRUST ON BOTH SIDES. HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE US MADE MUCH OVER SECURITY FOR ISRAEL BUT THIS MERELY REFLECTS THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT IN WHICH THE 1967 WAR OCCURRED AND OUR CONVICTION THAT A STABLE POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST CANNOT BE ACHIEVED UNTIL THE ISRAELIS CAN BE MADEI TO feelithey WILLI NOT AGAIN HAVE TO FACE A SIMILAR SITUATION. GP-3. ROGERS: EXQIC SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE * Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN TELEGRAM SECRET 820 PAGE 01 STATE 023756 EXEIS EXPIS EXPIS 80 ORIGIN SS-45 SITUATION ROOM ASUSE WHITE LICT FEB 12 AM 8:30 30 2 INFO OCT-01 1046 R 66636 DRAFTED BY&NEA/ARN=AIKILLGORE APPROVED BY&NEA/ARN:MR. seelye NEA/ARN&TWSEELYE XS:MR. ACKERMAN E/ITPVEWT*MR. FERGUSSON DEPT. COMMERCE&WILSON sweeney Ø76328 RI 112227Z FEB 71 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT SECR E T STATE 023756 EXDIS SUBU8 CASE OF DR. LUCIEN DAHDAH REF: STATE 20028 1. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE HAS: TAKEN DECISION TO TERMINATE - JUNE 30, 1970 DENIAL ORDER AGAINST DR. DAHDAH. THIS FAVORABLE DECISION IS EXPECTED TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER IN NEAR FUTURE. 2. EMBASSY AUTHORIZED TO so INFORM DAHDAH. IRWIN SECRET 45 NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. CONFIDENTIAL EXDIS RECEIVED WHCA 1971 JAN 28 19 42 CONFIDENTIAL HCE803 PAGE 01 STATE 014826 42 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 ( CCO-00,CIAE-00,NSCE-00, ) R 66602 DRAFTED BY: NEA/IAI:HHSTACKHOUSE APPROVED BY: NEA:JOSEPH J. SISCO NEA/ARN:AIKILLGORE S/S:MR. CARSON 098634 PR 281659Z JAN 71 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN USINT CAIRO AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV AMCONSUL JERUSALEM CONFIDENTIALSTATE 014826 EXDIS SUBJECT: ISRAEL-LEBANON 1. IN MEETING WITH RABIN JANUARY 27 SISCO NOTED THAT WE HAD INFORMATION RECENTLY INDICATING ISRAELI OVERFLIGHTS OF LEBANON, IN SOME CASES CLOSE TO BEIRUT. REASON FOR OUR ATTENTION AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME WAS OBVIOUS. WITH JARRING TALKS AT PRESENT JUNCTURE AND END OF CEASE-FIRE COMING UP, IT WAS IMPORTANT THERE BE NO DIVERSION. SISCO ASKED IF ISRAELI EMBASSY COULD GIVE US INFORMATION ON WHAT WAS GOING ON ON LEBANON-ISRAEL FRONT. 2. RABIN SAID HE WOULD SEND TELEGRAM TO JERUSALEM AND WOULD ASK ISRAELI EMBASSY OFFICER TO BRIEF DEPARTMENT. RABIN'S ONLY COMMENT WAS THAT THE LEBANESE ARMY WAS DOING NOTHING. HE AND MINISTER ARGOV BOTH REFERRED TO KING HUSSEIN'S RECENT SUCCESSES AGAINST FEDAYEEN, SUGGESTING LEBANESE COULD DO SAME. RABIN COMPLAINED THAT PRESENT LEBANESE GOVERNMENT WAS "DOING NOTHING" TO COPE WITH FEDAYEEN PROBLEM, "WORSE THAN PREVIOUS LEBANESE GOVERNMENT." CONFIDENTIAL Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 STATE 014826 GP-3. ROGERS CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL EADIO Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM LIMITED OFFICIAL USEI 983 EXPIS EXPIN EXPIS EXPIS PAGE 01 STATE 200809 82 2 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 /046 R 66636 DRAFTED BY:OM/MS: JOHN MANG APPROVED BY:0/0M:THOMAS STERN S/S-O:MR. BRIMS R 092346Z DEC 70 SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE 638649 FM SECSTATE WASHDC 70 DEC 10 AM 7:44 TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT AMEMBASSY CARACAS AMEMBASSY SAIGON AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV LIMITED OFFICIAL use STATE 200809 NO DISTRIBUTION OUTSIDE DEPARTMENT EXDIS SUBJECT ADDITIONAL FBI PERSONNEL OVERSEAS: REFERENCE: STATE 195595 DECEMBER 10 1970 1 . IN PARAGRAPH 2, LINE 4 OF REFERENCED MESSAGE, CHANGE THE WORD POLICY TO POLICE. ROGERS DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12958, as amended, Sect 3.5 NLNO9.12/24:Perlt.10.15.2009 By P.H NARA, Date 10.22.09 [P.1061] NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUEHAORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE WH * Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM IMITED OFFICE AL USE 882 PAGE 01 STATE 195595 88 ORIGIN SS=45 2 INFO OCT-01 1046 R 66641 DRAFTED BY8 OM: MS: RGMAYS APPROVED BY: THE ACTING SECRETARY SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE '70 DEC 2 PM 12:56 3 ОИОМ- MR STERN FBI- MR SULLIVAN O - MR MACOMBER EXPIN EXPIS EXAIS ARA/ LA/ MGT- MR CHAPIN INFO NEA/ EX- MR HUNT INFO EA/EX- MR SMITH INFO S/S= MR BREWSTER 116382 R 012210Z DEC 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT AMEMBASSY CARACAS AMEMBASSY LA PAZ AMEMBASSY SAIGON AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV LIMITED OFFICIAL use STATE 195595 EXDIS SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL FBI PERSONNEL OVERSEAS FOR AMBASSADOR FROM THE ACTING SECRETARY 10 A REQUEST BY THE DEPT OF JUSTICE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FBI PERSONNEL ABROAD HAS BEEN APPROVED. THE REQUEST INVOLVES ESTABLISHING SIX NEW OFFICES WITH PERSONNEL COMPLEMENTS AS FOLLOWS COMPLEMENT OFFICE AGENTS CLERKS TOTAL 1 1 2 E.O. 12958, as amended, DECLASSIFIED Sect 3.5 NLN09-12/25:Relti 10-15-2009 NARA, Date 09 10.22.09 CP. 1062] BEIRUT LIMITED OFFICIAL USE By P.H 30 NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE 4 Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM LIMITED OFFICIAL USE PAGE 02 STATE 195595 EXPIS EXQIN EXPIS EXQIN CARACAS 2 2 dil LA PAZ 1 ! 2 SAIGON - 1 2 SAN JOSE 2 2 4 TELHAVIV 2 2 4 2 ° PURPOSE OF THESE NEW OFFICES WILL BE TO CARRY OUT LIAISON RESPONSIBILITIES FBI LIAISON REPRESENTATIVES ARE STATIONED ABROAD TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A CLOSE, COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE POLICY AND OTHER INVESTIGATIVE AGENCIES OF THE COUNTRIES WHICH THEY VISIT THIS IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXPEDITING AND INSURING THE THOROUGH COVERAGE OF LEADS ABROAD ARISING FROM INVESTIGATIONS BEING CONDUCTED BY THE FBI WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. 3 ₽ SINCE THERE IS CONSIDERABLE URGENCY PLEASE LET ME KNOW IMMEDIATELY WHETHER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW OFFICE WILL PRESENT ANY DIFFICULTIES. JOHNSON LIMITED OFFICIAL USE NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. SE1/10/19 DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE # Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 947 EXPIS EXPIS PAGE 01 STATE 189268 SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE 15:2 WA 61 NON 88 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 /046 R 66643 DRAFTED BY:NEA/ARN: TWSEELYE APPROVED BY: NEA: JOSEPH J SISCO NEA:IAI: MR STACKHOUSE NEA: MR ATHERTON S/S=0: MR BRIMS 035488 R 190103Z NOV 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT INFO AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV USMISSION USUN NY S E CRET STATE 189268 EXDIS SUBJECT: ISRAELI TREAT AGAINST LEBANONI REF: BEIRUT 9895: TELI AVIV 6354 ฿ STATE 188379 1 . IF AMBASSADOR BELIEVES IT WOULD BEI HELPFULL HEI AUTHORIZED INFORM GENERAL NOUUAIM THAT WE CONVEYED TO GOI CONCERN RE POSSIBLE ISRAELI AIR STRIKE ACROSS BORDER IN LIGHT OF FEDAYEENI BUILD-UP IN SOUTH LEBANON. HE MAY SAY GOI OFFICIALI HAS CHARACTERIZED NOUUAIM'S CONCERN AS QTE EXAGGERATED UNQTE AND EXPRESSED VIEW THAT SUCH ACTION NOT RPT NOT INTENDED. AT SAME TIME GOI OFFICIAL EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER DANGER OF RENEWED FEDAYEEN ACTION IN CENTRAL SECTOR AND BELIEVED THAT GOL SHOULD TAKE FURTHER STEPS TO RESTRAIN FEDAYEEN. 2. TEL AVIV 6362 JUST RECEIVED. AMBASSADORI SHOULD ALSO INFORM NOUUAIMI THAT SUBSEQUENT TO CONVERSATION REPORTED PARA 1, WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY ISRAELIS OF FIVE FEDAYEEN CROSSBORDERI ATTACKS IN LAST 2-3 DAYS. HE SHOULD PASS ALONG ISRAELI EXPRESSION OF HOPE THAT LEBANESE WILL UNDERSTAND GOI'S ANXIETY FORI SAFETY OF BORDER SETTLEMENT. AMBASSADOR SHOULD URGE GOL TO REDOUBLE ITS EFFORTS PREVENT SUCH INCIDENTS FROM OCCURRING. GP-3. ROGERS NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUTHE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY 40 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE WH Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM CONFIDENTIAL 677 PAGE 01 STATE 177707 EXQIC EXPIS EXPIS 82 ORIGIN SS-45 SITUATION ROOM 70 OCT 29 AM 8:22 22 INFO OCT-01 /046 R 66641 DRAFTED BY: NEA/ ARN: TWSEELYE/AIKILLGORE APPROVED BY: NEA- JOSEPH J. SISCO S/S - MR CURRAN 034985 R 282322Z OCT 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN USINT CAIRO AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV USMISSION USUN NY CONFIDENTIAL STATE 177707 EXDIS SUBJ: SISCO/ EXDIS HELOU CONVERSATION 1. DURING LUNCHEON HELD IN THOMAS JEFFERSON ROOM OCTOBER 27 IN HONOR EX-PRESIDENT HELOU, ASST® SECTY. SISCO SOUGHT PRESIDENT HELOU'S VIEWS ON SIGNIFICANCE OF PRESIDENT NASSER'S DEATH. SPECIFICALLY, COULD NEW UAR REGIME AGREE TO MIDDLE EAST PEACE AND MAKE IT AGREEMENT STICK? SISCO NOTED THAT ON SURFACE TRANSITION IN EGYPT LOOKED SMOOTH, WHICH SUGGESTED THAT NEW GOVERNMENT MIGHT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE ALONG ROAD TO PEACE. HOWEVER, SITUATION HAS BECOME MORE COMPLICATED BECAUSE OF (1) NASSER'S DEATH: (2) JORDANIAN CIVIL WAR AND (3) GROWING SENSE OF PALESTINIAN IDENTITY. 2. HELOU CONCURRED THAT MIDDLE EASTERN SITUATION MAY NOW BE MORE COMPLEX THAN BEFORE. HOWEVER, HE MADE DISTINCTION BETWEEN NASSER'S DEATH ON ONE HAND AND THE JORDANIANI CIVIL WAR AND GROWING PALESTINIAN IDENTITY ON THE OTHER NASSER'S DEATH WAS A NATURAL PHENOMENON, AN ACCIDENT BUT CIVIL WAR AND NEW PALESTIAN ASSERTIVENESS WERE FUNDAMENTALS. THERE WAS AN INEVITABLE QUALITY ABOUT THEM. NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THRIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE * Department of State EXATS UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 STATE 177707 HELOU SAID THAT FOR PAST TWO OR THREE YEARS HE HAD SOUGHT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO REALITIES OF PALESTINIAN PROBLEM. HE IMPLIED THAT STRENGTHENING PALESTINIAN PROBLEM. HE IMPLIED THAT STRENGTHENING PALESTINIANI PERSONALITY AND JORDAN CIVIL WAR MIGHT BE HELPFUL TOWARDS FINDING A SOLUTION BECAUSE THEY THREW INTO SHARPER FOCUS THE BASIC REALITIES. 3. HELOU STATED THAT HE KNOWS UAR PRESIDENT ANWAR SADAT PERSONALLY. SADAT IS CULTURED, HIGHLY EDUCATED AND SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE such AS PRIME MINISTER MAHMOUD RIAD WHO ARE EQUALLY CAPABLE. HELOU EXPECTED NEW EGYPTIANI LEADERSHIP TO PURSUE NASSER'S POLICY LINES. IN FACT, SADAT MAY BE AT PAINS TO TAKE ACTIONS TO DEMONSTRATE HIS ATTACHMENT TO NASSER'S GUIDELINES. IN ANY CASE, HELOU IMPLIED THAT NASSER'S DISAPPEARANCE FROM THE SCENE WOULD NOT IN LONG RUN DETRACT FROM EGYPT'S ROLE IN MIDDLE EAST. UAR STILLI NUMBERED BETWEEN 30 AND 33 MILLION PEOPLE IN ONE ENTITY. EVEN IN KING FAROUK'S TIME EGYPT PLAED A KEY ROLE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO WITH NASSER GONE. 4. SISCO ASKED HELOUS VIEWS ON WHAT USG SHOULD DO IF FATAH LEADER YASIR ARAFAT SHOULD COME TO US TOMORROW AND SAY HE IS READY TO ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH US. HOW STRONG IS ARAFAT AND WHAT PERCENTAGE OF PALESTINIANS COULD HE PRESUME TO SPEAK FOR? WHAT SHOULD USG ATTITUDE BE? HELOU RESPONDED OBLIQUELY THAT AN ARAFAT APPROACH SHOULD NOT BE REBUFFED BUT HE AVOIDED FURTHER COMMENT. 5. helou EXPRESSED VIEW THAT ISRAEL DID NOT REALLY WANT PEACE. HE COULD IMAGAINE A DISCUSSION IN ISRAELI CABINET INI WHICH MOSHE DAYAN WOULD MAINTAIN THAT UAR ANTI- AIRCRAFT MISSILES CONSTITUTED A MAJOR THREAT TO SECURITY OF ISRAEL® ABBA EABN MIGHT DEMUR THAT SITUATION WAS REALLY NOT THAT BAD® BUT IN END ISRAEL USED EGYPTIAN MISSILE DEPLOYMENTS AS EXCUSE FOR WITHDRAWING FROM THE HARRING PEACE TALKS. 6. HELOU DESCRIBED AN AREA OF MISUNDERSTANDING BETWEEN WESTERN CHRISTIANS AND ARABS WITH RESPECT TO ISRAEL. ONE MESSAGE OF CHRISTIANITY WAS THAT WORSHIPPED MIGHT WORSHIP HIS GOD anywhere. BUT ISRAELIS ARE CONCERNEDI WITH BIBLICAL PROPHECIES WHICH CALL FOR THEIR RETURN TO A NOT TO BE REPRODUC WITHOUT RAZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF MEDICAL TELEGRAM CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 STATE 177707 PROMISED LAND AS ONLY PLACE IN WHICH GOD MIGHT PROPERLY BE WORSHIPPED. ISRAEL'S MAIN OBJECTIVE THEREFORE IS NOT SECURITY, AS US AND WESTERNERS BELIEVE, BUT RATHER TO ACHIEVE A TOTAL FULFILLMENT OF BIBLICAL PROPHECIES AS THEY RELATE TO THEM. THAT IS REASON ISRAELIS HAVE NEVER BEEN EXPLICIT ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT BOUNDARIES THEY SEEK. WESTERN CHRISTIANS IMBUED WITH IDEA OF WORSHIPPING GOD ANYWHERE ARE UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT MAIN ISRAELI OBJECTIVE IS NOT SECURITY. 7. HELOU ADMITTED TO INDULGING IN ATMOSPHERICS AND HIGHI THEORY IN HIS FOREGOING EXPOSITION. AT SAME TIME HE WAS HOPEFUL THAT SOMETHING CONCRETE MIGHT STILL EVOLVE WITH REGARD TO AN ARAB- ISRAELI SETTLEMENT BUT THIS COULD ONLY HAPPEN IF THE CENTRAOL PROBLEM WERE "SKIRTED AROUND" AND NOT TACKLED FRONTALLY. HE SAID ATTEMPTS TO DEFINE PRECISELY AND UNEQUIVOCALLY THE TERMS OF A FINAL SOLUTION WOULD NOT BE HELPFUL. WHILE HELOU AVOIDED SAYING WHAT USG SHOULD DO, HE STATED ISRAEL'S ABSOLUTISM HAD RESULTED IN ARAB ABSOLUTION. THE TWO SIDES WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO GET TOGETHER BY THEMSELVES EXPIS FOR THAT REASON, HE ADVOCATED RESUMPTION OF JARRING MISSION® SUCCESS OF THAT MISSION WOULD REQUIRE THAT USG AS STRONGEST POWER AND, IN PARTICULAR, MR. SISCO AS THE KEY OFFICIALI DEALING DIRECTLY WITH MIDDLE EASTERN PROBLEMS PUT DECISIVE WEIGHT BEHIND JARRING. 8. SISCO TOOK POLITE EXCEPTION TO HELOU'S VIEWS ON ULTIMATE ISRAELI AIMS AND IMPLICTIONS THAT THE USG IS TOO SOFT ON ISRAEL. HE POINTED OUT THAT IN ACCEPTING THE US PEACE INITIATIVE ISRAEL HAD FOR FIRST TIME: (1) ACCEPTED PRINCIPLE OF INDIRECT NEGOTIATIONS: (2) ACCEPTED PRINCIPLE OF WITHDRAWAL FROM OCCUPIED TERRITORY: ANDI (3) ACCEPTED LIMITED CEASEFIRE RATHER THAN AN UNLIMITED ONELFOR WHICH IT HAD ALWAYS PRESSED. THESE ISRAELI CONCESSIONS HAD EXQIC NOT BEEN MADE WITHOUT STRONG URGINGS FROM USG. WE WILL NOT TRY TO FORCE A SOLUTION TO ARAB/ ISRAELI PROBLEM BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT IS IMPOISSIBLE. AT SAME TIME HELOU COULD BE ASSURED THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A DECISIVE ROLE IN INFLUENCING THE PARTIES, ESPECIALLY ISRAEL WE WILL CONTINUE TO OPPOSE ANNEXATION OF TERRITORIES. WHILE WE FEEL THAT SOME ADJUSTMENTS HAVE TO BE MADE, WE WILL NOT SUPPORT ISRAELII ACQUISITION OF ANY SUBSTANTIAL TERRITORIES. NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE * Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 STATE 177707 OM SISCO TOLD HELOU HE IS CONVINCED THAT AFTER NOVEMBER 5 THE MIDDLE EASTERN CEASEFIRE WILLIBE EXTENDED EITHER DE FACTO OR BY AGREEMENT. HE WAS EQUALLY CONVINCED THAT JARRING TALKS WILL BE RESUMED ALTHOUGH THIS MAY TAKE A LITTLE LONGER. USG REALIZES THAT LEFT TO THEMSELVES THE PARTIES CANNOT ACHIEVE PEACE BECAUSE OF THE EMOTIONAL, HISTORICAL AND SENTIMENTAL FACTORS SURROUNDING THE WHOLE DISPUTE. THAT IS: WHY WE ARE DETERMINED TO ACHIEVE RESUMPTION OF JARRING TALKS. WHEN THESE RESUME USG CAN THEN PLAY A MORE EFFECTIVE ROLE. PRESENT SITUATION IS SOMETHING LIKE A VACUUM IN WHICH WE CANNOT OPERATE. IT IS ONLY IN CONTEXT OF PEACE OALUS THAT USG CAN AND WILL BRING ITS FULL INFLUENCE TO BEAR ON THE PARTIES. 10. MR SISCO CLOSED BY REITERATING DEEP FEELING OF FRIENDSHIP WHICH THE UNITED STATES HAS TOWARD LEBANESE PEOPLE HE STATED THAT USG HAS HIGH REGARD FOR ROLE WHICH EX- PRESIDENT HELOU PLAYED DURING HIS SIX- YEAR TERM AS PRESIDENT OF LEBANON, DURING HELOU'S TENURE CLOSE RELATIONSHIPI WHICH EXISTS BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES WAS FURTHER CEMENTED. WE WERE EXTREMELY PLEASED THAT HELOU CAME TO US ANDI WEI HOPE THAT HE WILL COME MORE OFTEN. THIS WILL ENABLE US TO HAVE FURTHER EXCHANGE OF VIEWS, WHICH WOULD BE VERY USEFUL. 11. HELOU THANKED MR. SISCO FOR HIS REMARKS AND SAIDI THAT LEBANESE ARE VERY EAGER TO SGRENGTHEN RELATIONS BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES TO EXTENT USG MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO DO SO® HE EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION FOR HOSPITALITY RENDERED HIM HERE AND SAID HEI REGRETTED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO ACCEPT THE DEPRTMENT'S INVITATION IN FULL (I.E. LEADER GRANT PROGRAM) . HE SAID THAT PRESIDENT FRANGIE PRIME MINISTER, FOREIGNI MINISTER AND ALL TOP LEBANESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE EAGERI TO MAINTAIN AND FURTHER STRENGTHEN CLOSE RELATIONS BETWEEN EXQIC OUR TWO COUNTRIES. ROGERS NOT TO BE REPRODUCE WITHOUT RATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. LEI/10/1C9 DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE UNITED STATES OF HOMEMENT Department of State TELEGRAM SECRET 371 PAGE 01 STATE 176374 2 80 ORIGIN SS-45 3 INFO OCT-01 /046 R 66638 DRAFTED BY NEA ARN AIKILLGORE AM APPROVED BY NEA ALATHERTON NEA ARN MR seelye NEA IAI MR stackhouse SITUATION RO WHITE WHITE HOUSE HOUSE SS SHOLLY 70 OCT 27 AM 8:28 28 R 270029Z OCT 70 019664 FM secstate WASHDC TO amembassy BEIRUT INFO AMEMBASSY tel AVIV SECRET STATE 176374 EXDIS EXQIC EXPIN SUBJ: REPORTED FEDAYEEN ACQUISITION OF STRATEGIC POSITIONS IN BEIRUT REF: A. USDAO 2314ØØZ OCTOBER 1970 B. KORN/HADASS OCTOBER 20 MEMCON (CC SENT BEIRUT) 1. DEPARTMENT IS DISTURBED BY REPORTS CONTAINED references: THAT fedayeen ARE RENTING APARTMENTS AND OFFICES ALONG STRATEGIC THOROUGHFARES AND NEAR key INSTALLATIONS IN BEIRUT. 2. WOULD APPRECIATE RECEIVING EMBASSY views AND COMMENTS ON credence OF these REPOSTS AND, IF TRUE, WHETHER WOULD BE ATIVE ACTION, ROGERS ADVISABLE URGE GOL ON HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL BASIS TAKEI prevent» NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE SAUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE WH # Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN TELEGRAM SECRET 211 PAGE 01 STATE 159037 41 EXPIS EXPIS 85 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 /046 R 66637 DRAFTED BY: NEA RPDAVIES APPROVED BY: NEA RODGER P DAVIES S/S=0 BAFLATIN 076654 P 261943Z SEP 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY INFO USINT CAIRO PRIORITY AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV S EXCORDENT STATE 159037 EXDIS 1. WITH APPARENT SETBACK TO GUERRILLA movements IN JORDAN, IT seems TO US THERE IS POSSIBILITY OF REGROUPING AND INCREASED MOVEMENT OF FEDAYEEN TO LEBANESE TERRITORY FOR OPERATIONS AGAINST ISRAEL. 2% WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ALSO POSSIBILITY THAT DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES FOR PALESTINIAN CIVILIAN BYSTANDERS IN JORDAN MIGHT ALSO RENDER THOSE IN LEBANONI less COOPERATIVE TO FEDAYEEN THAN IN PAST. 3.₽ REQUEST BEIRUT'S ASSESSMENT OF LIKELIHOOD OF INCREASED FEDAYEEN PRESENCE AND PRESEMES: AS WELLI AS GOL WILLIAND CAPABILITY TO prevent JORDAN-LIKE SITUATION FROM OCCURRING. ROGERS SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM Carla CONFIDENTIAL 727 PAGE 01 STATE 136003 Ed 85 ORIGIN NEA-15 INFO OCT-01 CPR-02 PM-05 NSC-10 P-03 RSC-01 SS-20 USIA-12 PRS-01 1070 R 66641 DRAFTED B : REVISED TEXT RECD FROM WHITE HOUSE NEA/ARN: TWSEELYE APPROVED BY: NEA- JOSEPH J. SISCO NEA- MR ATHERTON WH-MR SAUNDERS NEA- MR KILGORE S/S MR BREWSTER 069495 R 202253Z AUG 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT CONFIDENTIA L STATE 136003 SUBJECT: PRESIDENT'S REPLY TO MESSAGE FROM PATRIARCH MEOUCHI 1 . NO FORMAL REPLY FROM PRESIDENT IS CONTEMPLATED. HOWEVER, AMBASSADOR OR DESIGNATE MAY RESPOND ORALLY TO PATRIARCH MEOUCHI IN REPLY TO LATTER'S LETTER DELIVERED PERSONALLY BY CHARLES MALIK IN APRIL. ALONG FOLLOWING LINES: THE PRESIDENT WISHES TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LETTER OF MARCH 25 WHICH DR. CHARLES MALIK WAS KIND ENOUGH TO DELIVER. HE APPRECIATED RECEIVING THE CARDINAL'S MESSAGE, AND WISHES TO CONVEY THE FACT THAT HE CONTINUES TO WATCH DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST VERY CLOSELY. THE president IS ENCOURAGED BY THE POSITIVE RESPONSES TO THE US PEACE INITIATIVE AND IS hopeful THAT NEGOTIATIONS MAY LEAD TO A RESOLUTION OF THE ARABI ISRAELI PROBLEM. AS THE CARDINAL MUST KNOWD THE PRESERVATION OF LEBANONS INDEPENDENCE AND DEMOCRATIC WAY OF LIFE HAS LONG BEEN IMPORTANT TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, AND WE CONTINUE TO ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO LEBANON'S FREEDOM AND INTEGRITY. DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12958, as amended, Sect 3.5 NLN NLN09-12/26: Persti 8.4.09 By P.H NARA, Date 10.22.09 CONFIDENTIAL Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE * * Department of State OF STATES UNITED AMERICA TELEGRAM CONF IDENTIAL PAGE 02 STATE 136003 THE PRESIDENT EXTENDS WARM PERSONAL WISHES TO THE CARDINAL. 2. IF MEOUCHI ASKS FOR COPY OF TEXT, YOU SHOULD INDICATE THAT YOU ARE ONLY AUTHORIZED TO CONVEY ORALLY ANDTHAT THERE IS NO TEXT. JOHNSON CONFIDENTIAL Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. 0/11/10/19 DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE * Department of State with UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN TELEGRAM SECRET 041 PAGE 01 STATE 113335 02 83 ORIGIN SS-45 66613 APPROVED BY: NEA JOSEPH J. SISCO NEA/ARN MR. SEELYE NEA MR. ATHERTON NEA/UAR MR. BROWN '70 JUL 15 PM 11:34 36 3 INFO OCT-01 PCH-01 /047 R DRAFTED BY: NEA/ARN:PUGRIFFIN S/S: MR. BROWN 089821 R 152224Z JUL 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY JIDDA AMEMBASSY KUWAIT AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI AMEMBASSY TUNIS AMEMBASSY MOSCOW EXCLU AMEMBASSY PARIS AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV USINT KHARTOUM USINT ALGIERS AMEMBASSY RABAT USMISSION USUN new YORK CAIRO BY POUCH BT SECR ET STATE 113335 EXDIS SUBJ: MIDDLE EAST 8 CALL OF LEBANESE AMBASSADOR JULY 14 SUMMARY:ASSISTANT SECRETARY SISCO CLARIFIED FOR LEBANESE AMBASSADOR KABBANI $ PRESIDENT'S RECENT REMARKS ON ME SITUATION EMPHASIZING GROWING CONCERN WITHIN USG OVER MORE DIRECT SOVIET MILITARY ENCROACHMENTS IN UAR WHICH COULD LEAD TO DANGEROUS AND undesirable SUPER POWER CONFRONTATION. SISCO SAID WE ARE HOPING FOR POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM UAR. SHOULD NASSER REJECT OUR SECRET 45 DECLASSIF BE This REPRODUCED document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential ibrary. OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 STATE 113335 INITIATIVE, HE FEARED OPTIONS OF ALL CONCERNED WOULD BE SEVERELY RESTRICTED. AGREEING THAT US INITIATIVE REPRE- SENTS STEP FORWARD, AMB KABBANI REGRETTED SPATE OF UNHELPFUL speculative ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS BY US MEDIA AND OFFICIALS EFFECT OF WHICH WAS TO CREATE IMPRESSION IN ARAB WORLD THAT THERE HAS BEEN EROSION ALREADY IN OUR PEACE PROPOSALS. KABBANI STRESSED NEED FOR QUIET US DIPLOMACY AVOIDING STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL. 1 - SISCO OPENED BY SAYING THAT HE WISHED TO CORRECT ANY MISUNDERSTANDING THAT MAY HAVE ARISEN ABOUT PRESIDENT'S JULY 1 TV STATEMENTS CONCERNING MIDDLE EAST SITUATION. SISCO STRESSED THAT PRESIDENT'S REFERENCE TO ARAB STATES IN HIS INTERVIEW WAS NOT INTENDED TO REFER TO LEBANON, JORDAN, OR OTHER ARAB MODERATES. RATHER, PRESIDENT WAS EXPRESSING HIS DEEP CONCERN THAT SEVERAL ARAB GOVERN- MENTS HAVE NOT YET ACCEPTED SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION AND THAT NONE OF PALESTINIAN RESISTANCE GROUPS HAVE OPTED FOR ANYTHING BUT A MILITARY SOLUTION. SISCO SAID THAT IT MUST BE OBVIOUS TO KABBANI AS ASTUTE OBSERVER US scene THAT THERE CONSIDERABLE CONCERN WITHIN USG OVER SOVIET ROLE IN UAR. OUR JUDGMENTS OF SITUATION DERIVED AFTER MOST CAREFUL EVALUATION OVER PAST SEVERAL WEEKS. ALTHOUGHI OUR PRINCIPAL CONCLUSION WAS ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW POLITICAL INITIATIVE, NEVERTHELESS WE ARE NOT UNMINDFUL OF INCREASING SOVIET ENCROACHMENTS WHICH WE NOT SATISFIED ARE PURELY DEFENSIVE. WE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED THAT (A) SITUATION MAY BE CREATED IN TIME THAT NEITHER OF US CAN CONTROL, AND (B) WHAT SOVIETS HAVE DONE MILITARILY IN UAR HAS BEEN IN CONTEXT UTMOST RESTRAINT ON OUR PART. 2. SISCO CONCEDED THERE HAVE BEEN GREAT MANY SPECULATIVE ARTICLES ON SITUATION, NONE OF WHICH, HE SAYS, WE PLAN COMMENT ON® HE AFFIRMED TO KABBANI THAT STATEMENT MADE TO HIM ON JUNE 20 RE OUR RESTRAINT ON SUPPLYING ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT TO ISRAEL STILL STANDS TODAY. OF COURSE, USG HAS ONGOING MILITARY RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL BUT THIS FACT IS WELL KNOWN. SISCO REITERATED OUR INCREASING CONCERN OVER AREA SITUATION NOTING THIS CONNECTION THAT WE DOWNPLAYED INCREASING SOVIET ENCROACHMENTS FOR MANY MONTHS. WE NOW HAVE OBLIGATION TO ALL CONCERNED TO SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODU D WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATIC OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 03 STATE 113335 STRESS THE DANGER WITH WHICH WE REGARD THE MORE DIRECT MILITARY AND OPERATIONAL INVOLVEMENT OF SOVIETS IN ARAB-ISRAELI DISPUTE. 3. SISCO SAID THAT S FOREGOING IS COGENT REMINDER OF URGENT NEED FOR POLITICAL SOLUTION THAT MEETS LEGITIMATE CONCERNS OF BOTH SIDES. SISCO REVEALED DOBRYNIN CON- FIRMED AT MEETING JULY 13 THAT NASSER'S DISCUSSIONS WITH RUSSIAN LEADERS IN MOSCOW ARE CONTINUING AND THAT NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN REACHED. ACCORDING SISCO, WE ARE AWAITING CONSIDERED EGYPTIAN REPLY TO OUR RECENT INITIATIVE, WHICH WE HOPE WILL BE POSITIVE. AS HE HAD STATED PRE- EXPIS EXPIS EXPIS VIOUSLY, SHOULD RESPONSE BE NEGATIVE, ven OPTIONS OF ALLI CONCERNED WOULD RESTRICTED. 4. KABBANI REGRETTED CONSIDERABLE UNHELPFUL SPECULATION int. IN PUBLIC MEDIA CONCERNING OUR PEACE INITIATIVE. RE SITUATION IN GENERAL, KABBANI FELT DEVELOPMENTS IN AREA ARE NOT ENCOURAGING. DESCRIBING ISRAELI STRATEGY OVER PAST THREE YEARS AS COMPLETE DEPENDENCE ON THEIR MILITARY SUPERIORITY, KABBANI CONCLUDED THAT ISRAELI = GOAL, IN WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN LARGELY SUCCESSFUL, HAS BEEN TO TRANSFORM THE ARAB-ISRAELI DISPUTE 30 INTO DIRECT CONFRONTATION BETWEEN THE SUPER POWERS. ISRAELIS HAVE CONSISTENTLY ACTED AS IF THEY IGNORED CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS. KABBANI THOUGHT US COULD STILL REVERSE COURSE OF EVENTS IN AREA BUT TIME WAS RAPIDLY RUNNING OUT ON US. WHILE AGREEING THAT NEW US INITIATIVE REPRESENTS POSITIVE STEP FORWARD, KABBANI PLEADED THAT NOTHING SHOULD BE DONE TO JEOPARDIZE THIS INITIATIVE AS WELL AS TO FURTHER INFLAME AREA SITUA- TION. 5. COMMENTING ON STEADY DETERIORATION OF SITUATION SINCE JUNE WAR SISCO SAID WE UNDERSTAND PRESSURES ON BOTH MOSCOW AND CAIRO TO REDRESS MILITARY BALANCE. HOWEVER, WHAT HAS BEEN DONE GOES BEYOND WHAT WE BELIEVE NECESSARY FOR DEFENSIVE PURPOSES, AND RAISES SERIOUS - - QUESTION OF SOVIET INTENTIONS. SISCO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT ANSWER TO SOVIET POLITICAL THREAT IS NOT LIMITED TO QUESTION OF PROVIDING OR NOT PROVIDING ISRAEL WITH ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT, BUT RATHER A PEACE SETTLEMENT WHICH RECOGNIZES LEGITIMATE CONCERNS AND INTERESTS OF ALL SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 04 STATE 113335 PARTIES. 6. SISCO THEN REVIEWED FOR KABBANI DEVELOPMENT OF US POLICY SINCE KOSYGIN-NIXON EXCHANGE OF letters. WHEN KOSYGIN JAN 31 LETTER SENT» EVIDENCE NOW SHOS USSR HAD a ALREADY TAKEN MILITARY DECISION RE UAR. NOTHWITHSTANDING REJECTION OF OUR PREVIOUS PROPOSALS AND DOCUMENTED FACT THAT RUSSIANS BECOMING MORE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN UAR DEFENSE, WE DECIDED, AFTER COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW BEGUN IN APRIL, TO PUT FORTH ANOTHER PEACE INITIATIVE, WHILE BEING RESTRAINED ON ISRAELI ARMS ASPECT. AT SAME TIME, WE ALSO FELT IT NECESSARY TO PUBLICLY REVEAL EXTENT OF SOVIET ROLE EXCLUS EXQIC 7 ° SISCO STRESSED ARABS MUST UNDERSTAND WE SEE NEW QUALITATIVE FACTOR OF SOVIETS IN EQUATION, WHICH HAS: BOTH POLITICAL AND MILITARY DIMENSION: WE COPING WITH SOVIET POLITICAL STRATEGY BY POLITICAL PROPOSAL: FURTHER- MORE, ARABS MUST ALSO UNDERSTAND US INTENDS TO REMAIN INVOLVED IN AREA BOTH POLITICALLY AS WELL AS MILITARILY AND THAT OUR VIETNAM INVOLVEMENT DOES NOT RESTRAIN US. WE FEEL THERE IS REAL DANGER IN PRESENT SITUATION GETTING OUT OF HAND. WHILE NOT TRYING TO DENY THAT THE PRIME FACTOR IN CONFLICT IS UNDERLYING ARAB-ISRAELI DISPUTE, SISCO EXPLAINED PRESIDENT IN HIS TV INTERVIEW WANTED TO GET ACROSS POINT THAT THERE ARE TWO ASPECTS OF US POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST - - POLITICAL AND MILITARY IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH INCREASING DIRECT SOVIET INVOLVEMENT IN THE AREA® 8. KABBANI MADE IT CLEAR THAT CONTINUED US SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL CAN MEAN LOSS OF AREA FOR US EVEN WITHOUT WAR. HE ALSO REPEATED THEME THAT SUBSEQUENT STATEMENTS OF US OFFI- CIALS AS WELL AS unhelpful COMMENTS OF MEDIA HAVE GIVEN IMPRESSION IN ARAB WORLD THAT RECENT US INITIATIVE AS ANNOUNCED BY SECRETARY HAS, IN FACT, ALREADY BEEN ERODED. 9. SISCO INQUIRED IF KABBANI HAD "FEEL" FOR SUBSTANCE OF REPLY UAR WILL BE MAKING TO OUR INITIATIVE. KABBANI SAID THAT FACT IT HAS TAKEN so LONG FOR UAR TO PREPARE ITS RESPONSE INDICATES TO HIM THAT IT WILL NOT BE TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE. SINCE PARTIES ARE NOW ENGAGED IN CLEVER SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential ibrary. NECLASSIFIED reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and HER H DEPARTMENT OF STATE * Department of State TELEGRAM EXETS UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN SECRET PAGE 05 STATE 113335 NEGOTIATIONS GAME, KABBANI STRESSED IMPORTANCE FOR ALL TO EXERCISE PATIENCE. 10. WHILE AGREEING WITH THIS OBSERVATION, SISCO SAID US ANXIOUS TO BUILD BRIDGES TO NASSER, BUT IT TAKES TWO TO PLAY THIS GAME. WE CONSIDER THAT OUR INITIATIVE REQUIRES MAJOR CONESSIONS ON PART OF ISRAELIS, AND WHILE PROPOSAL DOES NOT MEET 10% ARAB POSITION ENTIRELY THIS COULD NOT BE EXPECTED. SISCO STRESSED THAT WE NEED HELP OF UAR TO PUT ACROSS OUR INITIATIVE. WHILE AMERICANS BOTH PATIENT AND IMPATIENT PEOPLE, IT CANNOT BE EXPECTED THAT WE WOULD CONTINUE MAKE THESE PEACE PROPOSALS INDEFINITELY WITHOUT RECEIVING SOME POSITIVE RESPONSE. 11. KABBANI REITERATED THAT BEST RESULTS CAN BE ACHIEVED BY QUIET DIPLOMACY, AVOIDING STATEMENTS WHICH STRESS US SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL AND ACCENT ARMS RELATIONSHIP AMBASSADOR DEFINED POSSIBLE BALANCE OF POWER AS REALLY MEANING EQUALITY OF MILITARY POWER BETWEEN ARABS AND ISRAEL. HE SUGGESTED THAT ONLY WHEN SUCH EQUALITY ACHIEVED WOULD ISRAEL THEN FIND IT NECESSARY TO ACCEPT OUR INITIATIVE. SISCO STRESSED THAT IF POSITIVE REACTION RECEIVED FROM UAR AND SOVIETS, WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO PRODUCE - ISRAELIS, ALTHOUGH WE REMAIN UNCERTAIN OUR ABILITY TO DOSO. IF OUR INITIATIVE IS REJECTED, HOWEVER, SISCO CAUTIONED, THIS MIGHT BE INTERPRETED IN THIS COUNTRY AS SIGNIFYING LACK OF INTEREST ON PART OF ARAB LEADERS IN POLITICAL SETTLEMENT. CONCLUDING, SISCO SAID THAT, WHILE WE WILL CONTINUE OUR POLICY OF RESTRAINT, WE ARE UNABLE TO STOP SPECULATIVE statements. GP-3 ROGERS NNN NOTE: POUCHED BY OCT. SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE WH Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN TELEGRAM SECRET 277 PAGE 01 STATE 097677 85 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 1046 R PU 66635 DRAFTED BY: NEA/ARN:BHBAAS APPROVED BY: NEA-RODGERP.DAVIES '70 JUN 20 AM 10:05 05 situa 02 ROOM NEA/ARN-MR.SEELYE PM/MCWMR.BOWIE(INFO) S/S.MR-MORTON 056438 P 200033Z JUN 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY S E C R E T STATE 097677 EXDIS SUBJECT: LEBANESE INTERNAL SECURITY REF: BEIRUT 4992 1. WE AGREE WITH BEIRUT 4992 AS WELL AS WITH PREVIOUS COMMUNICATIONS FROM embassy, THAT GOL WOULD BE WELL ADVISED TO DEVELOP RIOT CONTROL CAPABILITY ACCORDINGLY, YOU SHOULD PROVIDE GOL WITH NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF FOLLOWING SUPPLIERS OF EQUIPMENT INDICATED: PENGUIN INDUSTRIES, P. 0. BOX 97, PARKESBURG, pennsylvania 19365» TEAR GAS $ TECHNIPOL INTER- NATIONAL, 660 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK NYYY 10021, TEAR GAS AND GAS MASKS FEDERAL LABORATORIES, INC., SALTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 15681, TEAR GAS AND GAS MASKS. 2% WE RECALL THAT ITALIAN INTERNAL SECURITY TEAM VISITED EXCLUS LEBANON ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND ADVISED LEBANESE ON RIOT CONTROL. IT MAY BE THEY MADE SUGGESTIONS TO LEBANESE THAT COULD BE PURSUED AT THIS TIME. 3. AS YOU KNOW, 5,000 M=1 RIFLES ARE BEING SHIPPED BY AIR TO LEBANESE ARMY. THEIR RECEIPT WILL FREE SAME NUMBER OF OLDER WEAPONS NOW IN USE WHICH COULD IN TURN BE USED IN SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE # Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 STATE 097677 VARIOUS WAYS TO IMPROVE RIOT CONTROL CAPABILITY OFFEITHER REGULAR FORCES OR OTHER DESIGNATED FORCES. IN THIS CON- NECTION, WE ALSO NOTE REPORT THAT UAR HAS DONATED 1,000 KALASHNIKOV RIFLES TO LEBANON WHICH MIGHT ALSO HAVE SOME APPLICATION THIS RESPECT. ROGERS SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCE WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE WH EXEIS Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 197 PAGE 01 STATE 097653 2 82 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 1046 R 66635 DRAFTED BY: NEA/ARN:BHBAAS APPROVED BY: NEA=JOSEPHJSISCO NEA/ARN=T.W.SEELYE $70 JUN 20 AM 10: 10:05 05 SITUATION ROOM S/S-MR.BROWN . 056024 P R 200001Z JUN 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN USINT CAIRO AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY PARIS USMISSION USUN NEW YORK SECRE T STATE 097653 EXDIS 1 - LEBANESE AMBASSADOR KABBANI CALLED ON ASST. SECRETARY SISCO JUNE 19 ON HIS (KABBANI'S) INITIATIVE. KABBANI SAID HE WANTED TO INQUIRE ABOUT FORTHCOMING ANNOUNCEMENT REGARD- ING POSSIBLE SALE AIRCRAFT TO ISRAEL AND WISHED EXPRESS HIS CONCERN HE SAID IN PASSING THAT HE APPRECIATED SISCO'S RECENT STATEMENT THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE SALE OF AIRCRAFT TO ISRAEL WITHOUT PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT. THAT IS, THERE WOULD BE NO SECRET SALES. KABBANI SAID THIS IMPORTANT IF WE ARE TO MAINTAIN TRUST AND UNDERSTANDING. 2. KABBANI WENT ON TO SAY THAT HIS SPECIFIC CONCERN WAS THAT IF NEW PEACE INITIATIVES AND SALE ANY NUMBER OF AIR- CRAFT TO ISRAEL ANNOUNCED SIMULTANEOUSLY, AIRCRAFT SALE WOULD COMPLETELY OVERSHADOW PEACE INITIATIVE AND BENEFI- CIAL EFFECT WOULD BE LOST. HE NOTED, IN ANY EVENT, THAT AIR- CRAFT NOT NEEDED BY ISRAEL AT THIS TIME® PROVISION OF AIRCRAFT WOULD MERELY INFLAME ARAB OPINION AND WOULD SERVE NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUTH SECRET AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State EXCES UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 STATE 097653 AS EVIDENCE THAT U.S. EFFORTS TOWARD SETTLEMENT NOT GEN- UINE. HE URGED THAT THERE BE CONSIDERABLE TIME SEPARATION BETWEEN PEACE INITIATIVE AND ANY ANNOUNCEMENT ON AIRCRAFT. 3. SISCO TOLD KABBANI THAT DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVE WILL HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED AND DISCUSSED IN DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS WELLI BEFORE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF ANY KIND IS MADE ON AIRCRAFT HE ADDED THAT THIS INITIATIVE WAS LAUNCHED TODAY (JUNE 19) AND WILL BE DISCUSSED TOMORROW IN CAIRO AND AMMAN. SISCO TOLD KABBANI HE COULD NOT DISCUSS IT WITH HIM AT THAT TIME BUT ASKED THAT HE COME IN AT 12:45 FOLLOWING DAY (JUNE 201. AT THAT TIME, SISCO SAID, He WILL TELL KABBANI CLEARLY WHAT WE INTEND TO DO ON MILITARY SIDE AND WILL DISCUSS OUR PEACE INITIATIVE IN DEPTH. SISCO ADDED THAT HE WAS CONFIDENT KABBANI WOULD FIND THAT WHAT WE INTEND TO DO ON MILITARY ASPECT IS VERY PRUDENT. 4. IN CLOSING, SISCO ASKED THAT KABBANI NOT RPT NOT REPORT TO GOL UNTIL AFTER THEIR MEETING SATURDAY. KABBANI AGREED. ROGERS SECRET E/11/10/1001 NOT TO BE REPRODUCED Reproduced at the THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE WA Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 431 PAGE 01 STATE 094664 85 ORIGIN SS-45 EXCLU EXPIR EXPIS EXCLUS 2/3 2 INFO OCT-01 1046 R 66648 DRAFTED BY: NEA/ARN:BHBAAS 6/16/70 APPROVED BY: NEA-JOSEPH J. SISCO NEA/ARN-TALCOTT W. SEELYE AF/N-MR® BRAY (SUBS) NEA-MR- ATHERTON S/S-MR. BRANDT 028651 R 1623497 JUN 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT INFO AMEMBASSY PARIS AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI CINCSTRIKE/CINCMEAFSA SECRET STATE 094664 EXDIS REF: BEIRUT 4660 WE AGREE THAT TRANSFER OF MIRAGE AIRCRAFT TO LIBYA AT THIS CRITICAL TIME WOULD NOT BE PARTICULARLY HELPFUL. ALTHOUGH WE DO NOT FEEL TRANSFER IS GOOD IDEA, WE BELIEVE THAT THE DECISION IN THIS CASE MUST BE MADE BY THE LEBANESE AND FRENCHI ON THE BASIS OF THE MERITS OF THE CASE AS THEY SEE IT. THEREFORE, BELIEVE YOU SHOULD LIMIT YOURSELF TO MAKING DISCOURAGING SOUNDS TO LEBANESE, BUT MAKING CLEAR IT IS THEIR DECISION. ROGERS SECRET NOI TO BE REPRODUCED Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library OF HCUETARY DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 141 PAGE 01 STATE 092727 82 02 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 /046 R 66643 DRAFTED BY: NEA OFFICES/CEMARTHINSEN APPROVED BY: NEA: RODGER P DAVIES S/S: WLLOYD 006972 R 130038Z JUN 70 '70 JUN 12 PM II: 28 SITUATION ROOM FM SECSTATE WASHDC EXQIC EXPIS TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT USINT CAIRO AMEMBASSY JIDDA AMEMBASSY KUWAIT AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV USINT ALGIERS USINT KHARTOUM AMEMBASSY RABAT AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI AMEMBASSY TUNIS AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY MOSCOW AMEMBASSY PARIS USMISSION NATO SECRET STATE 092727 EXDIS SUBJECT: NE HIGHLIGHTS REPORT JORDAN 1. GOJ-FEDAYEEN CRISIS - SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS: ON JORDAN INTERNATIONAL CRISIS HAVE BEEN SUMMARIZED FULLY IN SITREPS prepared BY JORDAN TASK FORCE (CONFIDENTIAL) LEBANON 2. LEBANESE LETTER TO SECURITY COUNCIL a ON JUNE 9 THE GOL WROTE SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon I Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 03 STATE 092727 EXCLU EXCES 6. MAJOR POWER SETTLEMENT EFFORTS AT JUNE 4 FOUR POWER DEPUTIES' MEETING. SOVIETS TOOK HARD LINE ON REFUGEE ISSUE ANDI TABLED UN- ACCEPTABLE LANGUAGE ON FREEDOM OF NAVIATION TAKEN VERBATIM FROM SOVIET JUNE 1969 DOCUMENT. AT JUNE 10 SESSION, SOVIETS REITERATED THEIR JUNE 1969 POSITION ON FORM OF AGREEMENT. AFTER US REPRESENTATIVE STRESSED THAT DIRECT TALKS AT SOME POINT IN NEGOTIATING PROCESS WOULD BE INDISPENSABLE TO OBTAIN ISRAELI AGREEMENT SOVIET DEPUTY SAID THAT MODE OF NEGOTIATION BETWEEN THE PARTIES SHOULD BE LEFT UP TO JARRING. (SECRET/EXDIS) 7. NASSER TO MOSCOW PRESS HAS PICKED UP STORY THAT NASSER WILL MAKE VISIT TO MOSCOW LATER THIS MONTH. WE HAVE NO HARD EVIDENCE RE NASSER'S INTENTIONS. IN WHAT MAY BE RELATED DEVELOPMENT SOVIET AMBASSADOR VINOGRADOV RETURNED TO CAIRO JUNE 10 AND CALLED ON NASSER. CONFIDENTIAL) GP3. ROGERS SECRET NOTTO DECLASSIFIED B.E REPRODUCED This document has been Reproduced reviewed at pursuant the Richard to Executive Nixon Presidential Order 3526 Library and OF has F SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF STATE * Department of State EXELS UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN TELEGRAM SECRET 046 02 PAGE 01 STATE 092628 82 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 1046 R 66645 DRAFTED BY:NEA/JTF&AMB HMSYMMES NEA/ARN TWSEELYE APPROVED BY8THE SECRETARY NEA MR DAYLES WLG MR MCDONALD S/S MR ELIOT OSD/ISA MR BILLINGS J=3 COL RHEA NEA MR SISCO 006772 P 130016Z JUN 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY INFO AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY SECRE T STATE 092628 EXDIS JOINT STATE/DEFENSE MESSAGE SUBJECT: CONTINGENCY PLANNING B LEBANON REFERENCE: BEIRUT 4721 1 * WE APPRECIATE THAT SITUATION IN LEBANON COULD GET OUT OF HAND AND AGREE THAT WE MUST BE ALERT TO SUDDEN DEVELOPMENTS. FACT THAT IT HAS BEEN NECESSARY TO PROCEED TO LIMITED EVACUATION FOREIGN NATIONALS IN JORDAN WILL UNDOUBTEDLY ADD TO TENSIONS IN LEBANON. AT SAME TIME, HIGH CASUALTIES AMONG PALESTINIANS, LIBYAN AND UAR PUBLICLY EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER PFLP COURSE, AND TREND TOWARD ABATEMENT CONFLICT IN AMMAN ARE OTHER FACTORS ENTERING INTO SITUATION WE SHALL RELY ON YOU TO KEEP US POSTED ON DEVELOPMENTS IN LEBANON AND WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR CALLING TO OUR ATTENTION PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS. NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE SECRET AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE * Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 STATE 092628 EXQIC EXPIS EXCLUS 2. WE HAVE NOTED YOUR OBSERVATION THAT IN SITUATION OF SECURITY BREAKDOWN AIRPORT MIGHT NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR USE AND ARE TAKING THIS INTO ACCOUNT IN OUR PLANNING. SIXTH FLEET IS ALERTED AND WE WILL KEEP YOU APPROPRIATELY INFORMED RE ITS MOVEMENTS AND ITS READINESS. IN CONNECTION CURRENT JORDANIAN SITUATION APPROPRIATE US AGENCIES HAVE UNDER CONSIDERATION VARIOUS CONTINGENCY PLANS THAT WOULD BE RELEVANT TO POTENTIAL EVACUATION SITUATION IN LEBANON. YOU SHOULD NOT, OF COURSE, GIVE ANY INDICATION OF THESE MATTERS TO GOL. 3. WE PLEASED WITH ASSURANCE FROM LEBANESE LEADERSHIP THAT GOL WILL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO PROTECT AMERICAN LIVES AND PROPERTY, ON WHOM OF COURSE WE MUST RELY IN FIRST INSTANCE. YOU MAY SO IFNORM CONFIDANT YOU MAY ALSO TELL HIM THAT WE ARE WATCHING DEVELOPMENTS CLOSELY AND WE WILL AVOID ANY ACTIONS WHICH WOULD GIVE FEDAYEEN COURAGE TO PRESS THEIR ADVANTAGE. BELIEVE YOU HAVE TAKEN RIGHT DISCOURAGING LINE RE SIXTH fleet. 4. SITUATION IN JORDAN HAS TAKEN SLIGHT TURN FOR BETTER AND WE ARE PLEASED THAT DEPENDENTS AND NON-ESSENTIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL ARE BEING SUCCESSFULLY EVACUATED IN AN INTERNATIONAL OPERATION UNDER ICRC'S AUSPICES. 5. MEANWHILE, WE THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A POSITION ON WHAT SHOULD BE SAID TO AMCITS WHO QUERY USG ABOUT WHETHER THEY SHOULD TRAVEL TO LEBANONe WE ALSO BELIEVE WE SHOULD HAVE A POSITION ON WHAT SHOULD BE SAID TO AMCITS IN LEBANON IF IN FACT THE SITUATION DETERIORATES FURTHER. WHAT ARE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS REGARD? GP-3' ROGERS SECRET NOTTO DECLASSIFIED BE REPRODUCED This document has been reviewed pursuant THE to Executive Order 13526 Library and OF THEEXFCUTIVESRETARY 9h1/10/109 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential DEPARTMENT OF STATE * is Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 955 PAGE 01 STATE 084071 83 ORIGIN NEA-15 INFO OCT-01 IO=13 SSO-00 NSCE = 00 USIE-00 SS=2Ø NSC-10 PM=05 CIAE-00 INR-07 NSAE=00 RSC-01 DODE-00 PRS-01 /073 R 66633 DRAFTED BY NEA/ARNg TALCOTT SEELYE/MMT (BY PHONE) 6-1-70 APPROVED BY S/S=0: GRUECKERT NEAs A - ATHERTON IO/UNP&ARMITAGE 058778 o R 020313Z JUN 70 ZFF4 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK AMEMBASSY AMMAN USINT CAIRO AMEMBASSY JIDDA AMEMBASSY KUWAIT SECRE T STATE 084071 HOLD UNTIL OPENING OF BUSINESS JUNE 2. SUBJECT: CONTINUED ISRAELI CROSS=BORDER ACTIONS. REF: BEIRUT 4283 1 - FOR BEIRUT: AMBASSADOR SHOULD URGE THAT PRESIDENT HELOU HOLD OFF BRINGING MATTER BEFORE UNSC. AS HELOU KNOWS, WE HAVE MADE REPRESENTATIONS TO ISRAEL AND ARE AWAITING response. AMBASSADOR AUTHORIZED INFORM HELOU THAT AMBASSADOR BARBOUR AGAIN BEING INSTRUCTED TO RAISE MATTER AT H-GH GOI LEVEL. AMBASSADOR MAY STATE THAT WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO INFORMATION TO SUPPORT THEORY THAT GOI EMBARKED ON POLICY OF ACQUIRING LEBANESE TERRITORY AND WE WOULD TAKE MOST SERIOUS VIEW OF ANY SUCH DEVEL OPMENT. SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE # Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 STATE 084071 2° FOR TEL AVIV8 AMBASSADOR BARBOUR SHOULD DRAW AS APPROPRIATE ON REF MESSAGE IN COMMUNICATING TO HIGH LEVEL GOI OUR CONTINUING CONCERN WITH ISRAELI CROSS- BORDER ACTIONS INTO LEBANON. AMBASSADOR SHOULD # O T E THAT WE STILL AWAYTING RESPONSE TO OUR SEVERAL EARLIER DEMARCHES AND REGRET THAT WE HAVE NOT REPEAT NOT RECEIVED REPLY. ISRAELIS SHOULD BE URGED TO DISCONTINUE BOTH PATROLLING AND SHELLING OPERATIONS INTO LEBANON, AND TO GIVE GOL OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT IT CAN DO TO IMPLEMENT LATEST GOL EDICT TO fedayeen. ISRAELIS SHOULD BE REMINDED AGAIN THAT LEBANON CONSITUTES SPECIAL US: INTEREST AND WE WOULD BE VERY CONCERNED IF ISRAELI CROSS=BORDER ACTIONS PRECIPITATED INTERNAL CRISIS IN LEBANON OR INDUCED GOL TO TAKE ILL=ADVISED FOREIGN POLICY ACTION© FINALLY, AMBASSADOR SHOULD STATE THAT WHILE WE DOING OUR BEST TO PERSUADE LEBANESE NOT REPLAT NOT TO BRING MATTER BEFORE UNSC AT LEAST UNTIL WE HAVE HEARD FURTHER FROM ISRAELIS, WE UNLIKELY BE SUCCESSFUL AS LONG AS GOI CONTINUES TO INFRINGE LEBANESE SOVEREIGNITY ON REGULAR BASIS. IF UNSC DOES MEET, WE CANNOT GUARANTEE HOW WE shall VOTED PARTICULARLY IN ABSENCE OF GOI REP SPONSE TO ANY OF OUR REPRESENTATIONS. AS SISCO INDICATED, IN RECENT CONVERSATION WITH AMBASSADOR RABIN, WE THINK NOW IS TIME FOR ISRAELIS TO EASE UP AND SEE WHAT LEBANESE CAN DO. ROGERS SECRET 6 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. /10/100 DEPARTMENT OF STATE * Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 647 PAGE 01 STATE 084041 83 01. ORIGIN SS-45 JUN INFO OCT-01 1046 R 2 66639 DRAFTED BY:NEA/ARN:BHBAAS AM situs 100M APPROVED BY:NEA/ARN - a TALCOTT Wo SEELYE 10/UNP B MISS JONES S/S * MR. GLEYSTEEN ES:1 057954 R 0123462 JUN 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC EXQIN EXPIR TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV USMISSION GENEVA AMCONSUL JERUSALEM USMISSION USUN NY USINT CAIRO SE CORE T STATE 084041 EXDIS SUBJ: POSSIBLE ICRC ROLE IN CONTROLLING FEDAYEEN IN LEBANON 1 * DEPARTMENT NOT RPT NOT ACQUAINTED WITH ROCHARD SCHEME TO SECURE FEDAYEEN WITHDRAWAL FROM SOUTH LEBANON. 2. WE ARE SURPRISED THAT AN ICRC REPRESENTATIVE WOULD VOLUNTARILY BECOME INVOLVED IN MATTER SUCH AS THIS. SINCE IT POSSIBLE THAT ROCHARD ACTING ENTIRELY ON HIS OWN WE HOPE THAT GOLI WILL HANDLE HIM WITH GREAT CAUTION. IN ANY EVENT, WE ARE SKEPTICAL ABOUT ABILITY ICRC, EVEN WITH BEST INTENTIONS, TO PERSUADE FEDAYEEN WITHDRAW FROM SOUTH LEBANON. GP=3 ROGERS SECRET 44 NOT TO BE REPRODUCED Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library OF THE DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been DEPARTMENT OF STATE WH * Department of State TELEGRAM EXPIC UNITED STATES OF SECRET 930 PAGE 01 STATE 080447 22 ORIGIN SS=45 INFO OCT=01 1046 R 66662 DRAFTED BY:NEA/IAI:HHSTACKHOUSE '70 MAY 26 AM 8:30 30 SITUATION.ROOM APPROVED BY3NEA ALFRED L. ATHERTON, JR |o U:M.I.ABRAMOWITZ(BY TELEPHONE ) S/S:R.C.BREWSTERIBY TELEPHONE) S/S-0B.AoFLATIN 019883 P R 260339Z MAY 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN USINT CAIRO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK SECRET STATE 080447 EXCIS EXDIS SUBJ: NEW ISRAELI MEASURES RE LEBANESE BORDER REF TEL AVIV 2676 FOLLOWING IS DETAILED ACCOUNT OF ACTING SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH AMBASSADOR RABIN MAY 25 WHICH WAS SUMMARIZED IN SEPTEL FYI AND NOFORN 1 ᵒ ACTING SECRETARY SAID HE HAD BEEN BRIEFED ON SITUATION ON LEBANESE BORDER AND SUGGESTED THAT AMBASSADOR RABIN MIGHT LIKE TO MAKE SOME REMARKS AT THE OUTSET. RABIN SAID THAT AS WE KNEW LEBANESE GOVERNMENT HAD SIGNED TWO AGREEMENTS WITH TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS ONE IN CAIRO BETWEEN BUSTANY AND PLO AND THE SECOND REACHED LATER ON BETWEEN JUMBLATT AND THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS, AN ACCORD WHICH WIDENED THE SCOPE OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVITIES 10 ALLOWED BY LEBANESE GOVERNMENT. THESE AGREEMENTS HAD MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS TO CARRY OUT OPERA- SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential ibrary OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be DEPARTMENT OF STATE 4 Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM EXE™ EXQIC SECRET PAGE 02 STATE 080447 TIONS FROM LEBANON AGAINST ISRAEL. ISRAEL'S POLICY WAS NOT TO INTERFERE WITH LEBANESE REGULAR FORCES: IT WANTED THEM TO TRY AND RESTORE PEACE AND ORDER: IT WANTED THEM TO PREVENT THE USE OF LEBANON AS A BASE FOR TERRORIST ACTIVITIES AGAINST VILLAGES AND CITIZENS. ISRAEL HAD TRIED TO MAKE CLEAR TO LEBANESE AUTHORITIES THAT UNLESS IT DID SOMETHING ISRAEL WOULD HAVE TO REACT. RABIN SAID He WAS TALKING HERE ABOUT ISRAELI CIVILIAN VICTIMS PEOPLE WHO LIVED THEIR LIVES NEAR THE BORDER. LEBANESE OFFICIALS HAD SAID AGAIN AND AGAIN IT WAS NOT ROLE OF GOL TO BE PROTECTOR AND GUARDIAN OF ISRAEL LATELY BEIRUT RADIO HAD TAKEN UP THIS THEME. ISRAEL HAD TRIED TO BE RESTRAINED IN ITS ACTIONS AND HAD TRIED TO RESTRICT ITS ACTIONS TO THE AREAS OF LEBANON NEAR THE SYRIAN BORDER. ISRAEL'S LAST ACTION WAS CARRIED OUT IN FACT IN AN AREA THAT WAS NOT UNDER LEBANESE CONTROL. SINCE THEN, RABIN NOTED, THERE HAD BEEN NO CASES OF KATYUSHA FIRINGS AGAINST ISRAEL IN THE NORTHERN AREA # FOR TEN DAYS THERE HAD NOT BEEN A ROCKET ATTACK AGAINST ISRAEL. THUS ISRAEL'S RECENT MILITARY ACTION HAD DONE SOME GOOD® AS REGARDS FRIDAY'S BUS INCIDENT, RABIN SAID HE DID NOT HAVE TO TELL US HOW DEEPLY AFFECTED ISRAELIS HAD BEEN ONE FAMILY HAD LOST SIX CHILDREN. THE ISRAELI PUBLIC EXPECTED ITS GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS LIVING IN THE AREAO SINCE LEBANESE GOVERNMENT'S POSITION WAS IT COULD NOT CONTROL fedayeen, GOI BELIEVED IT HAD RESPONSIBILITY TO PREVENT A REPETITION OF SUCH ATROCITIES AS THE BUS INCIDENT. ISRAEL UNDERSTOOD THERE WERE OTHER ASPECTS TO THIS PROBLEM. WHAT ISRAEL HAD DONE THE POLICY IT HAD EMBARKED ON, WAS BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE LACK OF LEBANESE ACTION TO PREVENT FEDAYEEN ATTACKS WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL SERVED AS A GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO PALESTINIANS TO INCREASE THEIR ACTION AGAINST ISRAELI AND ALSO TO LEBANESE TO REDUCE THEIR EFFORTS TO PREVENT SUCH ATTACKS 2° AT THIS POINT RABIN BROUGHT OUT MAP AND DESCRIBED - ISRAELI MILITARY OPERATIONS MAY 25° HE SAID ISRAEL SENT IN TWO PLATOONS TO PENETRATION OF NO MORE THAN 2 KM INTO LEBANON® ONE PLATOON WENT IN IN THE DIRECTION OF YAROUN AND THE SECOND ONE A SHORT DISTANCE TO THE EAST. ALL THESE FORCES WERE NOW BACK IN ISRAEL. A LEBANESE FORCE HAD APPROACHED THE ISRAELIS AND ISRAELIS HAD KILLED ONE NOT TO BE REPRODUCED VITHOUT THE SECRET AUTHORIZATION THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE * * Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 03 STATE 080447 LEBANESE SOLDIER AND TAKEN ONE PRISONER. IN YAROUN LEBANESE TROOPS IN JEEP HAD FIRED ON ISRAELI FORCES AND IDF HAD DESTROYED JEEP® SOME FIRE HAD BEEN DIRECTED AT ISRAELIS FROM BUNKERS AND ISRAELIS HAD DESTROYED BUNKERS® 30 RABIN CONTINUED THAT ISRAELIS WERE NOT TRYING TO CARRY OUT RETALIATION. THEY DID NOT OPEN FIRE ON VILLAGES OR CIVILIAN TARGETS NOR DID THEY USE ARTILLERY EXCEPT FOR MORTARS. WHEN ISRAELIS ENTERED VILLAGE, THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE OR EXCHANGE OF FIRE. RABIN NOTED THAT ISRAELI PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT HAD NOT SAID IDF HAD CROSSED LINES BUT SAID IT HAD BEEN PATROLLING BORDER AREA AND ENCOUNTERED FEDAYEEN SISCO NOTED A TICKET ITEM INDICATED ISRAELI ANNOUNCEMENT TO EFFECT THAT PREVENTIVE PATROL HAD CROSSED INTO LEBANON $ THIS SEEMED TO BE MORE SPECIFIC DESCRIP- TION BY GOI OF WHAT HAPPENED. RABIN SAID HE WAS JUST PASSING INFORMATION HE RECEIVED FROM JERUSALEM AND HE COULD BE WRONG RABIN SAID HE DID NOT WANT TO CREATE IMPRESSION THIS WAS END OF STORY® IF LEBANESE DID NOT ACTIVELY PREVENT FEDAYEEN ACTION AGAINST ISRAEL, THERE EXCES MIGHT BE CREATED AGAIN NEED FOR ISRAELITO DO SOMETHING. THIS WAS "IN AND OUT" KIND OF ACTION AS DESCRIBED BY RAFAEL TO AMBASSADOR BARBOUR RABIN STRESSED ISRAEL HAD NO INTENTION TO TAKE CONTROL OF TE RITORY He SAID THAT TWO PLATOONS OF TANKS WERE ONLY EIGHT TANKS IT WAS HIGH TIME THE LEBANESE STARTED TO DO SOMETHING THIS AREA WAS NOT NEXT TO SYRIAN BORDER AND ISRAELIS HAD EXPECTED LEBANESE TO DO BETTER. 40 SISCO SAID THAT WE HAD INFORMATION INDICATING JUMBLATT WAS TRYING TO GET THE FEDAYEEN PUSHED BACK TO THE NORTH AND EASTO WE DID NOT KNOW IF HE COULD SUCCEED BUT THIS WAS EFFORT BY LEBANSE MINISTER INTERIOR AND WE FELT WE SHOULD SEE WHAT HE COULD DO. 50 RABIN SAID THAT IF THERE WAS WRONG MAN TO BE ENGAGED IN THIS ACTIVITY IT WAS JUMBLATT. THE RIGHT ELEMENT TO BE DOING THIS WAS THE LEBANESE ARMY. RABIN AGAIN REFERRED TO JUMBLATT'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF FEDAYEEN ACTIVITY IN SOUTHERN LEBANON SECRET NOTTO BE REPRODUCED Library OF THEEXECUTIVESERETARY THEEXECUTIVE SECRETARY EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has DEPARTMENT OF STATE * Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 04 STATE 080447 6. ACTING SECRETARY SAID HE WANTED TO UNDERSTAND CLEARLY POSITION GOI REGARDING CONTINUATION OF THIS KIND ACTIVITY RAFAEL HAD SPOKEN OF ISRAELI PATROLS IN LEBANON AND LATER TALKED OF IN AND OUT ISRAELI PATROLS. IF PATROLS WERE TO TAKE PLACE ON A CONTINUING BASIS WE HAD HERE SIGNIFICANT SHIFT IN ISRAELI POLICY FOR DEALING WITH SITUATION 7 . RABIN SAID HE COULD NOT SAY WHAT WOULD BE FREQUENCY OF ⑉⑉⑉ PATROLS THIS WOULD DEPEND ON SUCCESS OF LEBANESE ARMY IN CONTROLLING INCIDENTS EMANATING FROM LEBANESE TERRITORY. IT WOULD DEPEND ON THE AMOUNT OF ACTION ON THE lebanese SIDE. EXPIS EXPIS EXPIS ISRAEL WOULD NOT PATROL FOR THE SAKE OF PATROLLING. RABIN COULD NOT SAY WHETHER IT WOULD BE EVERY DAY OR EVERY TWO DAYS. ISRAEL WOULD DECIDE ON THE BASIS OF THE SITUATION» 80 ACTING SECRETARY SAID WE NEED UNDERSTANDING ON WHAT IMPLICATIONS WERE. WE UNDERSTOOD AN SYMPATHIZED WITH ISRAELI PEOPLE IN THE SITUATION THEY FACED. WE WERE SADDENED BY THE SCHOLLBUS INCIDENT AND WE RECOGNIZE THE PAIN AND INSECURITY THAT PEOPLE LIVING ON THE BORDER FELT. QUESTION WAS WHAT THIS NEW POLICY WOULD ACCOMPLISH, WHAT THE LEBANESE REACTION WOULD BE IT MADE A DIFFERENCE IF THE POLICY ENVISAGED A CONTINUING PATROLLING ACTIVITY. THE IMPRESSION CREATED WAS THAT THIS WAS A KIND OF DEPARTURE FROM PREVIOUS POLICIES. OUR CONCERN WAS WHAT THE REPERCUSSIONS OF THIS POLICY WOULD BE o RABIN SAID ISRAELIS WERE OUT OF LEBANON ACTING SECRETARY SAID, TODAY YES RABIN SAID HE COULD NOT PROMISE MORE 9. ACTING SECRETARY SAID AMBASSADOR BARBOUR HAD EXPRESSED HIS VIEWS TO RAFAEL. THESE VIEWS WERE AN ACCURATE EXPRESSION OF THE REACTION WE HAD HAD IN WASHINGTON ACTING SECRETARY READ AT LENGTH FROM PARAS 9 AND 10 OF REFTEL, AND COMMENTED THAT THIS SEEMED TO HIM TO BE A JUSTIFIED REACTION. WE THOUGHT THE RESULT OF ISRAELI POLICY WOULD BE TO CONTRIBUTE TO UNDERMINING THE HELOU GOVERNMENT AND THE LEBANESE SYSTEM. THIS WAS NOT IN ISRAEL'S INTEREST OR OUR OWN© THE PROBLEM OF HOW TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION WAS DIFFICULT. OUR CONCERN WAS THAT WHAT THE ISRAELIS WERE DOING WOULD DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD. 100 RABIN SAID THAT IF THE LEBANSESE WANTED TO MAINTAIN THEIR STRUCTURE OF INDEPENDENCE THEN THEY MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT NOT TO BE REPRODUCED ITHOUT THESHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State OF STATES UNITED AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 05 STATE 080447 fedayeen ISRAEL WOULD NOT ALLOW FATAH TO OPERATE AGAINST IT. ISRAEL HAD SHOWED RESTRAINT IN LEBANON AND WOULD NOT DESCRIBE THIS KIND OF OPERATION AS RETALIATION THIS WAS A KIND OF PREVENTIVE REACTION 11.0 ACTING SECRETARY SAID WE HAD ON OTHER OCCASIONS TALKED OF POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING UN OBSERVERS ALONG BORDER. IF ISRAELIS COULD, AS THEY SAID DO SOMETHING GOOD WITH TWENTY OR THIRTY ISRAELI SOLDIERS, WHY NOT CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF MODEST UN FORCES. 12° RABIN SAID THAT THE UN DOES NOT FIGHT> AT BEST THEY WERE OBSERVERS WHO DID NOT PREVENT FEDAYEEN INCURSIONS. RABIN REFERRED TO SITUATION ALONG SUEZ CANAL LINE. HE SAID HE DID NOT SEE HOW UNSYG COULD KEEP OBSERVERS THERE WITHOUT GIVING THEM PROPER SUPPORT ISRAELI TROOPS ON THE OTHER HAND, RABIN SAID» WOULD BE ABLE TO PUSH BACK CONCENTRATIONS OF FEDAYEEN. THEIR PRESENCE WOULD SERVE TO SHOW VILLAGERS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THEY DID NOT RESIST FEDAYEEN ACTIONS AGAINST ISRAEL. 130 ACTING SECRETARY RESPONDED THAT IF YOU SEE A SITUATION IN WHICH THERE ARE OPERATIONS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK THE RESULT WILL BE THAT LEBANON WILL HAVE TO DO SOMETHING IN FACE OF VIOLATIONS OF ITS SOVEREIGNTY. IT WILLIFIND SOMEONE ELSE TO HEOP THEM. THERE WOULD BE PROBLEMS IN PREVENTING NIGHT CROSSINGS: IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR PATROLS TO SEAL THE BORDER COMPLETELY. THE SITUATION WOULD BE COMPARABLEITO THAT ALONG THE suez CANAL AND THE JORDAN CEASEFIRE LINE WHERE CROSSINGS STILL CONTINUED. 14c RABIN SAID HE COULD POINT OUT ONE EXPERIENCE IN WHICH ISRAELI PATROLLING ACTIVITY HAD WORKED IN THE SAFI AREA SOUTH OF THE DEAD SEAo THERE ISRAEL HAD SENT PATROLS INTO JORDAN TERRITORY AND THE FATAH HAD MOVED BACK THEN THE JORDANIANS SAID THEY WERE READY TO TAKE OVER AND PREVENT FATAH ACTIVITY IN THAT AREA. SINCE THEN SITUATION IN THAT AREA HAD BEEN RELATIVELY GOOD. 150 SISCO REFERRED TO ISRAELI DEFENSIVE ACTIONS WHICH HAD PROVED so SUCCESSFUL IN THE BET SHEAN VALLEY. HE ASKED WHETHER MANPOWER WAS A PROBLEM FOR ISRAEL WAS IT NOT POSSIBLE FOR SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET EXELS EXCES EXPIN PAGE 06 STATE 080447 THE ISRAELIS TO DO ALONG THE LEBANESE BORDER WHAT THEY HAD DONE ALONG THE JORDANIAN BORDER IN THE WAY OF DEFENSIVE MEASURES? 160 RABIN SAID THAT THE TERRAIN WAS DIFFERENT ALONG THE LEBANESE BORDER. ISRAEL WAS DOING MORE ALONG THE LINE THAT SISCO REFERRED TO BUT IT COULD NOT GIVE UP THE RIGHT TO CROSS THE LINE. 17 SISCO NOTED THAT ISRAELI CROSSINGS OF JORDANIAN CEASEFIRE WERE INFREQUENT : IT HAD NOT PROVED DESIRABLE OR NECESSARY BECAUSE OF UTILIZATION OF OTHER DEFENSIVE MEASURES. WHAT WE WERE SAYING WAS THAT ISRAEL HAD ADOPTED A POLICY OF REGULAR PATROLS THAT WOULD LEAVE THE OTHER SIDE NOT KNOWING WHAT ITS INTENTIONS WERE ON A PARTICULAR OCCASION FOR EXAMPLE, HOW WOULD THE LEBANESE KNOW WHAT ISRAEL WAS DOING THIS MORNING, WHETHER IT WAS AN INVASION OR NOT. HOW COULD LEBANON STAND A SITUATION SUCH AS THIS. 180 ACTING SECRETARY SAID THAT AMBASSADOR HAD HEARED OUR CONCERNS WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LIKELIHOOD THAT TURMOIL WOULD BE CREATED ALONG THE LEBANESE BORDER. THE LEBANESE GOVERNMENT WOULD FEEL IT MUST COUNTER SOMEHOW ISRAELI PATROLS. ANY REACTION COULD BRING FORTH A DETERIORATION OF OUR INTERESTS IN THE AREA WE COULD NOT SEE ANY GOOD COMING FROM THE NEW ISRAELI POLICY AND FELT IT WOULD PRODUCE A SITUATION WORSE THAN THAT EXISTING WE APPEALED TO ISRAEL TO REEXAMINE THE MATTER TO RECONSIDER SOME FORM OF INTERNATIONAL ACTION SO THAT THE RESULT WOULD NOT BE TO ISOLATE ISRAEL WE ARE INEVITABLY CONCERNED WE WERE PLEDGED TO SEE THAT THE MILITARY BALANCE IN THE AREA DID NOT SHIFT AND YET WE SAW A SITUATION IN WHICH OUR CONCERN FOR ISRAEL'S SECURITY WAS BRINGING ABOUT A DETERIORATION OF OUR INTERESTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AS A EXPIC WHOLE. THIS FORCES US TO REEXAMINE THE COURSES BY WHICH WE CAN SERVE BOTH OBJECTIVES, TO SEE THAT MILITARY BALANCE DOES NOT SHIFT AND PRESERVATION OF OUR INTERESTS IN THE AREA. WE DO NOT WANT TO BE FACED WITH A CHOICE OF GIVING UP OUR OTHER OBJECTIVES IN ORDER TO INSURE ISRAEL'S SECURITY. 19. RABIN SAID HE DID NOT SEE ANY RELATION BETWEEN THE PROBLEM OF PRESERVING THE BALANCE OF POWER AND THE AGGRESSION OF NOT TO BE REPRODUCED VITHOUT THEAUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 07 STATE 080447 SOVIET-SUPPORTED STATES ON THE ONE HAND AND THE LEBANESE PROBLEM ON THE OTHER® HE SAID AMERICAN INTERESTS WOULD BE BETTER SERVED IF THE US COULD GET THE LEBANESE TO ELIMINATE ACTIONS THAT THREATENED ISRAEL. 20 s ATHERTON NOTED THAT TWO YEARS PREVIOUSLY ISRAEL HAD HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS ALONG THE JORDANIAN CEASEFIRE LINE AND IT HAD IN THE END COPED WITH THEM BY LAYING EMPHASIS ON MEASURES TAKEN ON THE ISRAELI SIDE. RABIN ANSWERED THAT ISRAEL HAD CONTROLLED THE SITUATION ALONG THE JORDANIAN LINE BY USING BOTH MEASURES ON ITS SIDE AND OTHER KINDS OF ACTIONS. ISRAEL WAS NOT TRYING TO BRING ABOUT THE JORDANIZATION OF LEBANON® THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE, HOWEVER, BETWEEN THE TWO AREAS. MOST OF THE JORDANIAN CEASEFIRE LINE WAS NOT POPULATED WHEREAS ALONG THE LEBANESE BORDER IT WAS. 21. SISCO SAID IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE NEW ISRAELI POLICY NOT BE ANNOUNCED THIS COULD CIRCUMSCRIBE FLEXIBILITY ON BOTH SIDES® SISCO SAID THAT LEBANESE COULD NOT TAKE THIS KIND OF INFRINGEMENT OF ITS SOVEREIGNTY WE KNEW THAT PUTTING THE EMPHASIS ON MEASURES TAKEN FROM THE ISRAELI SIDE WOULD MEAN THE COMMITMENT OF MORE RESOURCES BY ISRAEL® BUT WE FELT THAT IF ISRAEL CONTINUED ON THE NEW POLICY IT WOULD HAVE TO COMMIT EVEN MORE RESOURCES IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE MORE SAIGA, MORE ARAB STATES THAT MIGHT COME TO HELP LEBANON. THIS WAS A DIFFICULT PROBLEM FOR ISRAEL BUT IT SHOULD COMPARE THE COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. 22. ACTING SECRETARY SAID THAT SISCO WAS RIGHT REGARDING LIMITATIONS ON WHAT SHOULD BE SAID PUBLICITY. WE SHOULD SEE WHAT JUMBLATT COULD DO BEFORE PATROLS BECAME A REGULAR INSTITUTION. WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT JUMBLATT'S PROSPECTS WERE BUT THE CHANCES WERE BETTER IF THE NEW PATROL POLICY WAS NOT ANNOUNCED. EXCLU 23 ° RABIN SAID ISRAEL WAS NOT INTERESTED IN HAVING THE FACT OF ITS NEW POLICY ANNOUNCED TO THE LEBANESE: IT WAS FOR THE INFORMATION OF THE US ONLY. SISCO SAID WE HAD PASSED NOTHING TO THE LEBANESE RABIN SAID HE WOULD GO FURTHER AND ASK THAT WE NOT PASS THE INFORMATION TO THE LEBANESE. SECRET NOTTO BE REPRODUCED Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library F THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE * * Department of State UNITED STATES OF MEMBERS TELEGRAM EXELS EXAL SECRET PAGE 08 STATE 080447 240 ACTING SECRETARY SAID WE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE DISTURBED ABOUT ISRAELI POLICY IF IT HAD BEEN ANNOUNCED BEFORE BECAUSE IT NOT ANNOUNCED WE COULD CONSULT ON THE MATTER AND TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CONSIDERATIONS WE HAD DISCUSSED TODAY. COURSE ISRAELIS HAD DECIDED ON DID NOT LOOK TO US AS CALCULATED TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVES. 25. SISCO SAID WE DID NOT HAVE SATISFACTORY ANSWER TO ISRAELI PROBLEM BUT WHEN WE BELIEVED ALTERNATIVE COURSE WOULD LED TO A WORSE SITUATION, WE MUST SAY SO. WE HAVE NOT SAID THAT ISRAELIS MUST NOT DO ANYTHING. WE WOULD TELL AMBASSADOR PORTER NOT TO CONVEY OUR KNOWLEDGE OF ISRAEL'S INTENTIONS AS PASSED TO US ® SISCO SAID HE WNATED RABIN TO KNOW AT THIS POINT THAT WE HAD CONTINUED OUR EFFORTS WITH LEBANON TO PERSUADE THEM TO TAKE ACTION TO CONTROL THE FEDAYEEN. 26 ° ACTING SECRETARY ASKED WHAT RABIN WOULD SAY IF WE EXPRESSED TO LEBANESE DEEP CONCERN ABOUT PRESENT SITUATION AND ASKED AMBASSADOR PORTER TO PURSUE WITH LEBANESE GOVERNMENT THE OBJECTIVES OF MOVING THE FEDAYEEN OUT OF THE WESTERN PART OF THE BORDER 27c RABIN SAID HE COULD NOT SAY MORE THAN HE HAD ALREADY SAID. ISRAEL'S PURPOSE WAS TO AVID CLASHES WITH LEBANESE FORCES BUT ITS PATROLS WOULD CROSS INTO LEBANON IF NEED BE ® ACTING SECRETARY REMARKED LEBANESE WOULD NOT TAKE THIS THEY NOT THAT SUPINE GP-3- RICHARDSON NOT TO BE REPRODUCED VITHOUT THE SAUTHORIZATION THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT CANADA OF STATE * Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN TELEGRAM SECRET 135 PAGE 01 STATE 079537 50 84 ORIGIN SS=45 INFO OCT-01 1046 R 2 66603 3 DRAFTED BY: NEA/ARN:TJSCOTES APPROVED BY: NEA $ JOSEPH J SISCO NEA/ARN $ MR SEELYE NEA/UAR - MR PAKER NEA - MR ATHERTON S/S - MR IRONS EXQIN EXCIS EXQIC 016616 R 232009Z MAY 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT AMEMBASSY RABAT AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV AMEMBASSY KUWAIT AMEMBASSY MOSCOW AMEMBASSY PARIS AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY ROME AMEMBASSY MADRID AMEMBASSY TUNIS AMEMBASSY JIDDA USMISSION USUN NEW YORK USINT CAIR USINT ALGIERS AMCONSUL DHAHRAN '70 MAY 25 PM 5:42 42 SITUATION ROOM 3S0 THEM AMCONSUL jerusalem USINT KHARTOUM SECRET STATE 079537 EXDIS CORRECTED COPY CLINE 1 OF NUMBERED PARA 21 WORD "FUNDING" SHLD READ "FINDING" AND LINE 8 OF NUMBERED PARA 21, WORD "APPROPRIATE" SHLD READ "APPRECIATES"! SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 STATE 079537 SUBJECT: ARAB AMBASSADORS APPEAL RE PHANTOMS 1 * SUMMARY. ON MAY 20 AT THEIR REQUEST LIBYAN, MOROCCAN AND LEBANESE AMBASSADORS CALLED ON ASSISTANT SECRETARY SISCO TO EXPRESS ON BEHALF OF OTHER ARAB AMBASSADORS IN WASHINGTON THEIR DEEP CONCERN OVER POSSIBLE U.S. DECISION TO SELL ADDITIONAL PHANTOMS TO ISRAEL WHICH WOULD BE AGREED UPON DURING ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER EBAN'S CURRENT VISIT TO WASHINGTON. SISCO INFORMED AMBASSADORS THAT NO RRT NO DECISION HAS YET BEEN TAKEN CONCERNING PHANTOM SALE SISCO INDICATED US CONCERN ABOUT DETERIORATING SITUATION and IN AREA AND RISE OF SOVIET INFLUENCE THERE WHICH NEITHER IN INTEREST OF US OR AREA STATES THEMSELVES. SISCO POINTED TO FOLLOWING FOUR DECISIONS TAKEN BY PRESIDENT NIXON OVER ISRAEL'S OBJECTIONS AS SIGNS OF US EVEN=HANDED POLICY IN AREA: (1) US OFFER TO RESUME RELATIONS WITH UAR, (2) INI- TIATION OF FOUR POWER DISCUSSIONS, (3) FORMULATION OF OUR 1 OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER PROPOSALS, AND (4) DEFERRAL OF SALE OF PHANTOMS. SISCO EMPHASIZED THAT OUR CURRENT EVALUATION OF AREA SITUATION WILL BE BASED ON HARD=NOSED ASSESSMENT OF US INTERESTS IN AREA SUCH AS CONTINUED US CONCERN FOR LEBANON'S TERRITORIALIAND POLITICAL INTEGRITY. OTHER COM= PLICATED ELEMENTS IN ASSESSMENT INCLUDE (A) IMPLICATIONS OF RECENT SOVIET MOVES, (B) IMPACT OF DECISION OF SALE OF MORE PHANTOMS TO ISRAEL ON CURRENT PEACE EFFORTS ARABS, ISRAEL AND ON US/USSR RELATIONS IN AREA AND ELSEWHERE. SISCO STATED THAT DESPITE FATALISM ENCOUNTERED ON RECENT TRIP HE HAD BEEN IMPRESSED BY BELIEF OF ALL THAT US STILL HAS ROLE TO PLAY IN AREA. SISCO NOTED THAT KEY TO PEACE SOLUTION IS INITIATION OF NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS. END SUMMARY. 2. ON MAY 20 AT THEIR REQUEST LIBYAN AMBASSADOR FATHI ABIDIAD MOROCCAN AMBASSADOR AHMED OSMAN, AND LEBANESE AMBAS= EXPIS SADOR NAJATI KABBANI CALLED ON ASSISTANT SECRETARY SISCO TO DISCUSS CURRENT SITUATION IN NEAR EAST WHICH ABIDIA DESCRIBED AS EXPLOSIVE AND DANGEROUS. 30 ACTING AS SPOKESMAN FOR GROUP, ABIDIA CONTINUED THAT TWO FACTORS ARE WORKING IN AREA TO MAKE IT SO UNSTABLE. FIRST IS COMMUNISM WHICH IS DAILY BECOMING A SERIOUS THREAT SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED Reproduced atthe Rlchard HORIZATION OF E EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 03 STATE 079537 EXQIN EXPIN EXPIN EXPIN TO AN AREA WHICH CONTAINS OVER HALF OF WORLD'S KNOWN OIL RESERVES. EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, IT IS AREA ON WHICH WESTERN EUROPE IS TOTALLY DEPENDENT FOR ITS OILL AT THE SAME TIME, BY THREATENING NEAR EAST, COMMUNISM IS ALSO THREATENING SURROUNDING AREAS. ARABS ARE NEITHER ANTI-SOVIET NOR ANTI- USe AND WISH CORDIAL RELATIONS WITH ALL. THEY HAVE NO RPT NOT DESIRE, HOWEVER, TO BE UNDER CONTROL OF ANYONE, CER- TAINLY NOT RPT NOT THAT OF COMMUNISM. 40 ABIDIA CONTINUED THAT SECOND FACTOR IN AREA IS ARAB/ ISRAELI CONFRONTATION WHICH IS ESCALATING DAILY AND WHICH IS PAVING WAY NOT RPT NOT ONLY FOR COMMUNISM BUT FOR ANOTHER DANGEROUS EXPLOSION. THIS TIME SUCH AN EXPLOSION MIGHT INVOLVE GREAT POWERS IN ADDITION TO ARABS AND ISRAELIS AND THUS LEAD TO THIRD WORLD WAR. 5 ᵉ ABIDIA STATED THAT IT IS THESE TWO FACTORS, DANGER OF COMMUNISM AND DANGER OF THIRD WORLD WAR RESULTING FROM ARAB/ISRAELI CONFRONTATIONA WHICH ARE DIRECT PRODUCT OF JUNE 1967 WAR. ISRAEL, HOWEVER, POWERFUL IN ITS VICTORY, BELIEVES IT IS STRONG ENOUGH NOW TO LAST OUT ANY CONTINUED DETERIORATION IN AREA. ISRAEL DOES NOT RPT NOT APPRECIATE FACT THAT ANOTHER CONFLICT IN AREA WILL FURTHER ENDANGER ITS POSITION. AT SAME TIME US MUST ALSO REALIZE THAT SUCH CONFLICT WOULD HAVE SERIOUS EFFECT ON ARAB/US RELATIONS. 60 ABIDIA ASKED WHAT IN VIEW OF THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION, HAVE THE THREE PARTIES, THE ARABS, ISRAELIS AND US, DONE TO RESCUE SITUATION AND SERVE PEACE AND JUSTICE IN NEAR EAST. 7 ᵒ REPLYING TO HIS QUESTION ABIDIA NOTED THAT ARABS HAVE GOTTEN THE MESSAGE (SIC) AND AT KHARTOUM CONFERENCE AGREED TO SEEK POLITICAL SOLUTION TO PALESTINE PROBLEM INSISTING, HOWEVER, ON ONE THING ONLY a JUSTICE. ARABS THUS SUPPORT UN NOVEMBER RESOLUTION AND ARE PREPARED DO EVERYTHING TO IMPLEMENT - IT. AT SAME TIME HOWEVER, ARABS HAVE ALSO DECIDED THAT IN ORDER FACE CONTINUED ISRAELI AGGRESSION, THEY MUST BUILD UP THEIR ARMED FORCES WHICH THEY HAVE DONE 8. CONCERNING ISRAELIS, ABIDIA DESCRIBED THEM DRUNK WITH THEIR VICTORY AND MAD WITH THEIR MILITARY POWER ABIDIA SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 04 STATE 079537 STATED THAT ISRAELIS ARE INSISTING ON DICTATING SOLUTION IN AREA WHICH WILL GIVE THEM EVERYTHING AND OBLIGE THEM TO GIVE NOTHING IN RETURN. FOR THIS REASON ISRAELIS HAVE BEEN PUTTING OBSTACLES IN WAY OF FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NOVEMBER RESOLUTION« 90 CONCERNING OUR FRIENDS, THE AMERICANS, ABIDIA SAID HE HAD TO speak FRANKLY. HE NOTED FIRST, HOWEVER, THAT AS MAJOR POWER, US IS OBLIGED TO SEEK PEACE AND JUSTICE IN NEAR EAST PARTICULARLY AS IT HAS LONG DECLARED ITSELF COMMITTED TO TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF ALL STATES IN AREA. ABIDIA ADDED THAT US IS ALSO OBLIGED TO SEEK PEACEFUL SOLUTION BECAUSE ITS AREA INTERESTS ARE OF MAJOR SIGNIFICANCE TO IT. ABIDIA EXPRESSED HIS REGRET THAT PREVIOUS DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATION HAD NOT RpT NOT BEEN GUIDED BY ABOVE CON- SIDERATIONS AND HAD ADOPTED ONE-SIDED POLICY IN FAVOR OF ISRAEL. THUS, US SUPPLIER MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL IN FORM OF PHANTOMS, ROCKETS AND NARALM. IN ADDITION, US GAVE ISRAEL COMPLETE POLITICAL SUPPORT. RESULT OF THIS ONE- SIDED POLICY HAS BEEN STEADY DETERIORATION IN US/ARAB RELATIONS. THIS POLLICY HAS ALSO ENCOURAGED ISRAELI IN= TRANSIGENCE AND WILLINGNESS TO PURSUE ITS AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS AND TO REFUSE TO COME TO TERMS WITH THE ARABS® 10. ABIDIA STATED THAT AS RESULT OF THIS MASSIVE AMERICAN SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL AND OF OVERWHELMING ISRAELI POWER, IT HAS NOT RPT NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO DO ANYTHING TO BREAK OUT CURRENT DEADLOCK IN AREA EITHER THROUGH BIG POWERS AND UN OR THROUGH ARAB CONCESSIONS. 11. ABIDIA CONTINUED THAT AGAINST THIS DANGEROUS BACKGROUND, ISRAEL WHICH HAS PRODUCED OR IS ABOUT TO PRODUCE NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND CONTINUES TO OCCUPY TERRITORY OF ITS NEIGHBORS, HAS NOW APPLIED TO US FOR MORE WEAPONS IN ORDER TO COMMIT MORE AGGRESSION. ABIDIA EMPHASIZED THAT HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES EXPIS AS WELL AS ENTIRE ARAB WORLD» DO NOT RPT NOT believe THAT ISRAEL NEEDS THESE WEAPONS» RATHER ISRAEL NEEDS SOME ONE TO AWAKEN HER TO REALITIES IN AREA AND TO URGE HER TO IMPLEMENT UN RESOLUTION BY COMING HALF-WAY TO meet ARABS BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. 12. ABIDIA CONCLUDED THAT HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES HAD COME SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED ORIZATION OF E EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN TELEGRAM EXPIS EXCLUS SECRET PAGE 05 STATE 079537 TO SISCO IN NAME OF ALL ARABS TO URGE THAT ADDITIONAL PHANTOMS NOT RPT NOT BE GIVEN TO ISRAEL. AT THE SAME TIME, THE ARABS WISHED TO EXPRESS TO U.S. THEIR BELIEF THAT GOLDEN KEY TO AREA SETTLEMENT IS IN HANDS OF PRESIDENT NIXON, SECRETARY OF STATE ROGERS, AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE SISCO. ABIDIA NOTED SADLY THAT US HAS NOT RPT NOT YET USED THIS GOLDEN KEY BUT THAT ARABS HOPE IT WILL DO SO SOON® 13. SISCO EXPRESSED HIS DEEP APPRECIATION FOR CALL BY AMBASSADORS AND EMPHASIZED THAT IT WAS VERY TIMELY. SISCO STATED THAT EVALUATION OF ISRAELI REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL PHANTOMS WHICH THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED FOUR WEEKS AGO IS MOVING ALONG BUT THAT NO RPT NO DECISION HAS BEEN TAKEN ON THIS MATTER. SISCO EMPHASIZED THAT US IS NOT RPT NOT LOOKING AT THIS PROBLEM FROM NARROW POINT OF VIEW OF SIMPLE ARMS REQUEST. RATHER IT IS ATTEMPTING TO PUT THIS REQUEST INTO BROADER REGIONAL CONTEXT PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF developments WHICH HAVE OCCURRED IN NEAR EAST OVER LAST FEW WEEKS. 14. SISCO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT TREND IN AREA IS NOT RPT NOT TO OUR LIKING. INCREASE IN SOVIET INFLUENCE IS NOT RPT NOT IN OUR NATIONAL INTEREST ANY MORE THAN IT IS IN INTEREST OF AREA STATES THEMSELVES. CERTAINLY ALL ARABS SHOULD APPRECIATE THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET SOVIETS OUT ONCE THEY HAVE ENTRENCHED THEMSELVES. CZECHOSLOVAKIA IS OBVIOUS EXAMPLE. SISCO STRESSED THAT US INTEREST NO RPT NO GREATER THAN INDIVIDUAL ARAB COUNTRIES TO PREVENT FURTHER DETERIORA- TION IN AREA PERMITTING AN INCREASE OF SOVIET INFLUENCE. THUS, US AND ARAB COUNTRIES HAVE COMMON INTEREST WHICH PERHAPS CAN BE EXPRESSED IN NEGATIVE TERMS OF WHAT BOTH SIDES DO NOT RPT NOT WISH TO HAPPEN. 15. SISCO AGREED WITH AMBASSADOR ABIDIA THAT CORE OF PROBLEM IN AREA IS ARAB/ISRAELI DISPUTE. THIS DISPUTE, HOWEVER, MUST BE VIEWED IN ALL OF ITS COMPLEXITIES WHICH THIS ADMINISTRATION FULLY APPRECIATES. DURING PAST 15 MONTHS IT HAS been RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCT OF US FOREIGN RELATIONS, THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS ATTEMPTED TO reassess OUR POLICY IN AREA. OUT OF THIS REASSESSMENT HAVE COME FOUR DECISIONS WHICH PRESIDENT NIXON HAS TAKEN IN SINCERE SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE * Department of State UNITED STATES OF MEDICAL TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 06 STATE 079537 BELIEF THAT THEY MIGHT HELP ACHIEVE PEACEFUL AND JUST SOLUTION TO AREA'S PROBLEMS: (1) us OFFER TO RESUME DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THE UAR WITHOUT ANY PRE-CONDITIONS. WHEN UAR presidential ADVISOR FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DR. FAWZI MAHMOUD CAME TO WASHINGTON FOR PRESIDENT eisenhower funeral, HE WAS EVEN INVITED TO WHITE HOUSE, GESTURE MOST UNUSUAL TO A HIGH RANKING FOREIGN OFFICIAL WITH WHOSE COUNTRY THE US HAD NO RPT NO RELATIONS. EGYPTIANS DECIDED, HOWEVER, THAT TIME WAS NOT RPT NOT YET OPPORTUNE. SISCO NOTED THAT DURING HIS RECENT TRIP TO AREA HE AGAIN DIS- CUSSED THIS MATTER WITH PRESIDENT NASSER AND BOTH ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS STILL NOT RPT NOT YET MUTUAL AREA OF CON- FIDENCE BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES WHICH WOULD FACILITATE RESUMPTION OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS. nonetheless, PRESIDENT NASSER AGREED THAT CONTINUANCE OF OUR PRESENT DIALOGUE IS A GOOD THING AND MAY LEAD TO EVENTUAL RESUMPTION. WHAT ARABS MUST APPRECIATE CONCERNING THIS DECISION IS THAT US MADE DIPLOMATIC MOVE WITH WHICH ISRAELIS DID NOT RPT NOT AGREE. (2) INITIATION OF TWO-AND FOUR-POWER DISCUSSIONS. THIS AGAIN WAS STEP TAKEN BY US ON PROCEDURAL MATTER OVER EXCES ISRAELI OBJECTIONS. (3) FORMULATION OF ROGERS PLAN CON- SISTING OF OUR OCTOBER AND DECEMBER PROPOSALS. HERE AGEIN ON SUBSTANTIVE GROUNDS US DISASSOCIATED ITSELF FROM ISRAELIS WHO DESCRIBED THESE PROPOSALS AS APPEASEMENT OF THE ARABS. (4) DEFERRAL OF SALE OF PHANTOMS, AGAIN OVER OBJECTIONS OF ISRAELIS. 16. SISCO EXPRESSED HOPE THAT THESE DECISIONS WOULD BE VIEWED IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE BY ARABS AND EXPRESSED VIEW THAT IT UNFAIR TO CRITICIZE AS ONE-SIDED US NEAR EAST POLICY IN LIGHT OF THESE DECISIONS. us HAS FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH LIBYA, LEBAN AND MOROCCO AND OTHER ARAB COUNTRIES AND IS TRYING TO BE HELPFUL. SISCO EMPHASIZED IT WAS NOT RPT NOT IN US INTEREST TO PUT ALL ITS EGGS IN ONE BASKET® us, HOWEVER, sees NOTHING INCONSISTENT BETWEEN ITS fundamental POSITION IN SUPPORT OF EXIS= TENCE OF ISRAEL AND ITS FUNDAMENTAL POSITION OF WISHING TO DEVELOP AND NURTURE ITS RELATIONS WITH ARABS. 17. SISCO INFORMED AMBASSADORS THAT HE HAD CARRIED ONE MESSAGE TO BOTH NASSER AND GOLDA MEIR DURING HIS RECENT TRIP TO NEAR EAST. AS LONG AS ISRAEL AND EGYPT MAINTAIN THEIR MAXIMUM POSITIONS, WE WILL NOT RPT NOT ACHIEVE OUR GOAL OF A JUST AND PEACEFUL SO SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED HOUT THE UTH ORIZATION OF Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF HEMEMENT TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 07 STATE 079537 EXPIN EXETS EXQIN LUTION. GREATER FLEXIBILITY THEREFORE, IS REQUIRED ON BOTH SIDES. 18 € SISCO AGREED WITH ABIDIA THAT THE US HAS RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE AREA AND STATED THAT US INTENDS TO EXERCISE THEM. SITUATION HAS INDEED, between MOST DIFFICULT RECENTLY. WITH SOVIET PARTI CIPATION IN EGYPT'S AIR defense, A NEW FACTOR HAS BEEN INTRODUCED. WE MUST ANALYZE THIS SITUATION FROM EVERY ANGLE. SISCO EXPRESSED WISH THAT PROBLEM WERE SIMPLE MATTER OF DECIDING TO GIVE OR NOT RPT NOT TO GIVE PHANTOMS. ITD HOWEVER, MORE COMPLICATED. US MUST CONSIDER: (A) IMPLICATIONS OF THIS SOVIET MOVE ON ARAB/ISRAELI CONFLICT, (B) IMPACT OF DECISION TO GIVE MORE PHANTOMS TO ISRAEL ON OUR ON-GOING EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE REACEFUL SOLUTION, (C) IMPACT OF SUCH DECISION ON OUR ARAB FRIENDS AND ON ISRAEL, (D) IMPACT OF SUCH A DECISION ON MAJOR POWER ASPECTS OF THE NEAR EAST PROBLEM AND US/USSR RELATIONS IN AREA AND ELSEWHERE. 19. IN REPLY TO CONCERN EXPRESSED BY LEBANESE AMBASSADOR THAT DECISION ON PHANTOMS WOULD BE MADE DURING ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER EBAN'S CURRENT VISIT, SISCO REITERATED THAT DECISION ON PHANTOMS HAD NOT RPT NOT YET BEEN TAKEN AND ASSURED AMBASSADORS THAT DECISION WOULD BE TAKEN ON THE BASIS OF OUR HARD-NOSED ANALYSIS OF OUR INTERESTS IN THE AREA SISCO EMPHASIZED THAT ONE OF THESE INTERESTS REMAINS TERRITORIAL AND POLITICAL INTEGRITY OF LEBANON. 20. SISCO NOTED DESPITE FATALISM ENCOUNTERED DURING HIS RECENT TRIP, HE HAD ALSO BEEN MOST IMPRESSED BY CONTINUING BELIEF EXPRESSED BY BOTH CRITICS AND FRIENDS THAT US STILL HAS POSITIVE ROLE TO PLAY THERE UNDERSTANDABLY EACH COUNTRY HAS TENDENCY TO OVERESTIMATE US ABILITY ACHIEVE WHAT EACH PARTICULAR COUNTRY DESIRES. IN ANY EVENT SISCO SAID HE HAD TOLD NASSER THAT NEITHER FRANCE, UK NOR USSR CAN HELP UAR ACHIEVE KIND OF POLITICAL SOLUTION WHICH IT WANTS. ONLY US CAN DO THIS. SISCO SAID HE ALSO TOLD NASSER THAT INSISTANCE ON TOTAL WITHDRAWAL OR STEPS WHICH WOULD ALTER FUNDAMENTALLY JEWISH CHARACTER OF ISRAEL WOULD NOT RPT NOT ACHIEVE SUCH POLITICAL SOLUTION HE SAID THAT PRESIDENT NIXON HAS DECLARED HE ENVISAGES NO RPT NO MAJOR CHANGES IN THE MAP OF AREA® 21. SISCO INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM NOW IS FINDING THE GOLDEN KEY TO A SETTLEMENT WHICH AMBASSADOR ABIDIA MENTIONED. IN HIS VIEW THIS MEANS FINDING WAY TO BEGIN IMPORTANT PROCESS OF NEGOTIATION SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE * Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 08 STATE 079537 BY WHICH us does NOT RPT NOT MEAN FACE-TO-FACE TALKS AT OUTSET® IN THIS REGARD THE US HAS TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY WHAT ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER EBAN HAS RECENTLY BEEN SAYING THAT ARABS WOULD BE AMAZED in AT WHAT ISRAELIS WOULD BE WILLING TO OFFER ONCE THESE NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN. IN ANY CASE, THE US APPRECIATES THAT NEGOTIATIONS WILL BE PAINFUL FOR BOTH SIDES BUT BOTH SIDES MUST BE WILLING TO ACCEPT SOME DISCOMFORT IN ORDER ACHIEVE JUST AND LASTING PEACE. ROGERS SECRET 051/10/199 NOT TO BE REPRODUCED Reproduced at the Richard residential ObranOF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE WH * Department of State OF STATES UNITED AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET 579 PAGE 01 STATE 080422 EXEIS EXQIS 82 ORIGIN SS-45 2 INFO OCT-01 1046 R 66644 DRAFTED BY:NEA/IAI.STACKHOUSE APPROVED BY:NEAATHERTON S/S₈MORTON 018806 '70 MAY 26 AM 8:30 30 SITUATION ROOM SE P R 260019Z MAY 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV INFO USINT CAIRO AMEMBASSY AMMAN USMISSION USUN NY S E C R E T STATE 080422 EXDIS SUBJ: NEW ISRAELI MEASURES RE LEBANESE BORDER REF 8 TEL AVIV 2676 FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS UNCLEARED, NOFORN AND FYI ONLY, SUBJECT TO REVISION UPON REVIEW. 1 ° ACTING SECRETARY CALLED IN AMB. RABIN TODAY TO REGISTER OUR DISAGREEMENT WITH NEW ISRAELI MILITARY POLICY ON LEBANESE BORDER. POLITICAL COUNSELOR RAVIV, ASST. SEC. SISCO, DEPT. ASST® SEC. ATHERTON AND COUNTRY DIRECTOR STACKHOUSE ALSO PRESENT® 2° RABIN'S REMARKS FOLLOWED CLOSELY RAFAEL PRESENTATION (REFTEL), LAYING STRESS ON SIRAELI READINESS CANCEL NEW POLICY WHEN LEBANESE GOVERNMENT BRINGS ABOUT CESSATION FEDAYEEN INCURSIONS ACROSS BORDER ACTING SECRETARY SAID AMBASSADOR BARBOUR HAD EXPRESSED SAME VIEWS WE HAD. WE WERE SADDENED AT LOSS OF ISRAELI LIVES AND SYMPATHETIC WITH ISRAEL AS IT TRIED TO COPE WITH DIFFICULT PROBLEM BUT WE NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE SETHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State OF STATES MEDICAL UNITED AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 STATE 080422 DID NOT BELIEVE THIS NEW POLICY WOULD ACHIEVE OBJECTIVES IT SOUGHT. IT WAS INFRINGEMENT OF LEBANESE SOVEREIGNTY TO WHICH LEBANESE MILITARY WOULD HAVE TO RESPOND, WOULD FURTHER DESTABLIZE SITUATION IN LEBANONs COULD BRING IN MORE OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE AND COULD ULTIMATELY END IN MEANING ISRAEL WOULD HAVE TO COMMIT MORE RESOURCES TO ITS DEFENSE IN THAT AREA THAN IF IT CONCENTRATED NOW ON OTHER MEASURES OF DEFENDING ITSELF WITHOUT INCURSIONS : INTO LEBANON. ACTING SECRETARY ALSO RAISED POSSIBILITY OF UN ROLE ON BORDER, TO WHICH RABIN GAVE STANDARD ISRAELI OBJECTIONS. RABIN INDICATED THAT ISRAEL WOULD PERSIST IN THIS NEW POLICY UNTIL LEBANON PREVENTED FEDAYEEN INCURSIONS. EXQIC EXCLU EXCELS 30 RABIN STRESSED FACT ISRAEL PLANNED TO CARRY OUT PATROLS ON CONTINUING BASIS WAS FOR OUR INFORMATION ONLY AND ASKED THAT IT NOT BE PASSED TO lebanese. ACTING SECRETARY AGREED AND URGED THAT ISRAEL GIVE NO PUBLICITY AT ALL TO POLICY. (SO FAR, ISRAELI PUBLIC TREATMENT HAS CONVEYED NO HINT THAT TODAY'S ACTION WAS OTHER THAN A ONE- TIME AFFAIR. THERE IS SOME BASIS TO HOPE, THEREFORE, THAT THE ISRAELIS ARE NOT IRREVOCABLY LOCKED INTO THEIR NEW POLICY AND THAT OUR REPRESENTATIONS MAY THUS HAVE SOME EFFECT). 40 FOR BEIRUT: AMBASSADOR AUTHORIZED INFORM HIGHEST LEVELS GOL FOR THEIR CONFIDENTIAL INFO THAT WE HAVE MADE REPRESENTA- TIONS BOTH IN TEL AVIV AND IN WASHINGTON RE LATEST ISRAELI MILITARY INCURSION. EMBASSY SHOULD NOT RPT NOT REVEAL CONTINUING NATURE OF ISRAEL'S NEW DEFENSIVE PATROL POLICY. 5 ᵒ FULL REPORT OF CONVERSATION BY SEPTEL. GP=3. RICHARDSON SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. ten DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State TELEGRAM EXPIS UNITED STATES OF SECRET 335 PAGE 01 STATE 079905 3 87 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 1046 R 66635 DRAFTED BY: NEA/ARN*TWSEELYE APPROVED BY : NEA-JOSEPHJ.SISCO '70 MAY 26 AM 8:30 30 02, ROOM NEA-RPDAVIES SE NEA-ALATHERTON S/S=MR.BROWN 017650 P 252041Z MAY 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY SECRRI E T STATE 079905 EXDIS SUBJECT: POSSIBLE VISIT OF KAMAL JUMBLATT REF 8 BEIRUT 4016 WHILE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS MAY MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR JUMBLATT MAKE US. VISIT AT THIS TIME, YOU AUTHORIZED INFORM HELOU WE HAVE NO RPT NO OBJECTION TO US VISIT BY JUMBLATT DELEGATION. WE WOULD WISH DISCUSS FURTHER APPRO- PRIATE TIMING. GP=3 RICHARDSON SECRET NOT.TO BE REPRODUCED Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE * * Department of State OF STATES UNITED AMERICA TELEGRAM EXCE EXPIS SECRET 931 PAGE 01 STATE 062625 47 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 1046 R 2/3 66608 DRAFTED BY:NEA/ARN:TWSEELYE APPROVED BY:NEA:ALFRED L ATHERTON DIA:LT COL MCRAE (SUBSTANCE) S/S:ALDEN IRONS 016806 R 251839Z APR 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT SECR E T STATE 062625 EXDIS SUBJ: FORGED DIA LETTER REF: BEIRUT 0252 AND 0258 EXPIR EXPIS DEPARTMENT CONCURS YOUR HANDLING THIS LETTER AND FULLY ENDORSES APPROACH YOU PLAN TAKE WITH JUMBLATT, TOGETHER WITH CONTINGENCY STATEMENT. GP=3. ROGERS SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE DRP Department of State AMERICA UNITED TELEGRAM STATES OF LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 817 PAGE 01 STATE 049939 46 ORIGIN NEA=15 INFO OCT-01 SS-20 NSC-10 RSC-01 1047 R 66606 DRAFTED BY:NEA/ARN:TWSEELYE NEA/ARN:BHBAAS APPROVED BY:NEA/ARN:TALCOTT We SEELYE S/S:MR IRONS 019379 P 062018Z APR 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY LIMITED OFFICIAL USE STATE 049939 1. PLEASE DELIVER FOLLOWING LETTER FROM PRESIDENT NIXON TO PRESIDENT HELOU AT EARLIES TIME YOU DEEM APPROPRIATE: QUOTE DEAR MR. PRESIDENTs FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS IN LEBANON WITH GREAT INTEREST. THE ASTUTE MANNER IN WHICH YOU HAVE DIRECTED THE AFFAIRS OF STATE IN YOUR COUNTRY IN THE FACE OF MANY DIFFICULTIES IS INDEED IMPRESSIVE. IT REMAINS A MATTER OF DEEP CONCERN TO ME AND MY GOVERNMENT THAT LEBANON'S STABILITY AND INDEPENDENCE BE PRESERVED AND THAT LEBANON BE ENABLED TO PURSUE ITS DEMOCRATIC WAY OF LIFE WITHOUT OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE. MY GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT IT CAN TO FACILITATE THIS OBJECTIVE (PARA) MANY OF THE PROBLEMS FACING LEBANON TODAY ARE A DIRECT RESULT OFI THE ARAB ISRAEL CONFRONTATION. RECOGNIZING THIS, WE ARE VIGOROUSLY PURSUING OUR EFFORTS TO FIND A WAY OF ACHIEVING LASTING PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST. WE INTEND TO CONTINUE TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THIS REGARD BECAUSE IT IS IN OUR INTEREST-AS WELL AS IN THE INTEREST OF OUR FRIENDSIN THE AREA--TO ACHIEVE A LASTING PEACE settlement. (PARA) I HAVE ASKED AMBASSADOR PORTER, WHO IS RETURNING TO LEBANON SHORTLY: TO DELIVER THIS MESSAGE TO YOU PERSONALLY AND TO CONVEY TO YOU ON MY BEHALF MY WARMEST PERSONAL REGARDS. SINCERELY, (SIGNED) RICHARD NIXON. UNQUOTE. LIMITED OFFICIAL USE Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE # # Department of State UNITED THE OF TELEGRAM STATES LIMITED OFFICIAL USE PAGE 02 STATE 049939 2. SIGNED ORIGINAL, WHICH DATED APRIL 3, IS BEING POUCHED. 3. WHITE HOUSE DOES NOT PLAN RELEASE TEXT, BUT HAS NO OBJECTION IF LEBANESE GOVERNMENT DESIRES TO DO SO. ROGERS MITED OFFICIAL USE DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. 091/10/19 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. OF STATE DEP * * Department of State TELEGRAM EXPIS EXPIS of STATES AMERICA UNITED SECRET 316 PAGE 01 STATE 030852 82 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 1046 R '70 MAR 3 AM 8:57 57 WHITE HOUSE 66636 ROOM DRAFTED BY&NEA/ARN&BHBAAS APPROVED BY:NEA:JOSEPH J SISCO NEA/ARN:TWSEELYE NEAIRPDAVIES NEA/IAI:ALATHERTON S/S:MR MORTON 071041 P R 030134Z MAR 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY INFO AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV SECRE T STATE 030852 EXDIS SUBU: ISRAEL-LEBANON BORDER INCIDENTS REF: TEL AVIV 1100 1 - YOU SHOULD CONVEY TO GOL SOONEST SUBSTANCE OF REFTEL. WHEN so DOING YOU SHOULD INFORM LEBANESE THAT WE AWARE OF INCREASING and NUMBER ... OF INCIDENTS ON LEBANESE-ISRAELI BORDER. WE APPRECIATE THAT LEBANESE ARMY HAS TAKEN SOME MEASURES TO CONTROL DEDAYEEN. HOWEVER, WE ALSO APPRECIATE THAT SITUATION WHEREIN MOTHER OF SIX CHILDREN KILLED BY FEDAYEEN ACTION IS INTOLERABLE TO ISRAEL. EXQIC WHILE WE HAVE COUNSELED RESTRAINT TO ISRAELIS IN PAST, AND CONTINUE TO DO SO, IT IS EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT FOR THEM CONTINUE EXERCISE RESTRAINT IN SITUATION SUCH AS THIS. 2. YOU SHOULD ADVISE GOL THAT WE INTERPRET ISRAELI MESSAGE IN REFTEL AS CLEAR WARINING THAT THAT IS WOULD BE PRUDENT FOR LEBANESE TO STEP UP CONTROL MEASURES TO PREVENT FURTHER FEDAYEEN ACTIONS ORIGINATING FROM LEBANESE TERRITORY. ROGERS NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE SECRET AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE # Department of State ONLY STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 338 PAGE 01 STATE 037955 82 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 1046 R 66642 DRAFTED BY:NEA/JJSISCO APPROVED BY:JOSERH J SISCO S/S DIRK GLEYSTEEN '70 MAR 14 AM 011486 38 SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE P 140156Z MAR 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY SECRETARE E T STATE 037955 EXDIS EYES ONLY FOR AMBASSADOR FROM SISCO T WILL WANT TO HAVE A THOROUGH AND DETAILED REVIEW WITH YOU PROMPTLY UPON YOUR ARRIVAL IN WASHINGTON REGARDING REQUESTS OF LEBANESE GOVERNMENT OVER RECENT weeks AND MONTHS.GP-3. ROGERS EXCLU SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM EXELS EXATE SECRET 576 PAGE 01 STATE 033093 89 ORIGIN SS-45 MAR AM 8:07 STUATIONSOM SITUATION WHITE HOUSE ROOM INFO OCT-01 /046 R 66645 DRAFTED BY:NEA/ARN:BHBAAS APPROVED BY:NEA RODGER P DAVIES NEA/ARN MR T. W. SEELYE EUR/FBX MR TANGUY (BY telephone) S/S-O*B*A* FLATIN 092917 P R 060324Z MAR 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY BEIRUT AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY MOSCOW S EICOR E T STATE 033093 EXDIS SUBJECT: ARMS FOR LEBANON REFERENCE: PARIS 2569, BEIRUT 1726 WE CONCUR IN PARIS ASSESSMENT THAT DIRECT APPROACH TO GOF ON QUESTION OF TAKING BACK MIRAGES IS NOT LIKELY PROVE EFFECTIVE OR WELCOME. HOWEVER, WE WOULD FIND IT VERY USEFUL, AS SUGGESTED PARIS 2569, TO HAVE READING ON FRENCH INTENTIONS AND FOR EMBASSY TO CONVEY TO GOF SENSE OF URGENCY FELFT BY GOL. THIS IS PARTICULARLY TRUE IN VIEW OF REPORT WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED THAT ISRAELI FORCE OF 200 TO 300 MEN CROSSED PRONTIER TODAY - AND WERE LAST REPORTED ATTACKING VILLAGE OF MARWAHINE. ROGERS NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE SECRET AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF Department of State EXETS UNITED STATES OF STATE AMERICA # TELEGRAM SECRET 143 2 PAGE 01 STATE 025984 43 ORIGIN SS-45 INFO OCT-01 1046 R EXPIS 66607 DRAFTED BY: NEA/UAR:RBPARKER APPROVED BY: NEA- JOSEPH J. SISCO NEA- MR. DAVIES NEA/ARN a MR. SEELME S/S E? MR. BROWN WHITE HOUSE a MR. SAUNDERS '70 FEB 20 PM 5:03 03 SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE 017528 R 201737Z FEB 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN USINT CAIRO AMEMBASSY JIDDA AMEMBASSY KUWAIT AMEMBASSY TEHRAN SECR ETT STATE 025984 EXDIS REF : BEIRUT'S 1211 1 - PARA 5 REFTEL QUOTES RASHID KARAME AS SAYING NASSER THOUGHT USG HAD REBUFFED HIS INITIAL ATTEMPTS ESTABLISH CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH PRES NIXON AND US SHORTLY AFTER INAUGURA- E TION. BELIEVE IT WOULD BE USEFUL FOR YOU TO TELL KARAME WE APPRECIATE HIS REMARKS BUT THAT NASSER APPEARS NOT TO HAVE INFORMED HIM FULLY 2. IT TRUE NASSER HAS SPOKEN FROM TIME TO TIME OF HIS INTEREST IN IMPROVING RELATIONS, BUT He HAS ALWAYS SAID THAT RESTORATION WAS CONTINGENT ON SOME CHANGE IN AMERICAN POLICY ON arab-israel QUESTION, OR THAT HE NEEDED SOME "GESTURE" TO JUSTIFY RESTORATION TO HIS PEOPLE. HE OF COURSE HAS SOVEREIGN RIGHT TO ADOPT SUCH POSTURE, BUT IT HAS BEEN OUR CONSISTENT POSITION THAT RESTORATION RELATIONS SHOULD NOT BE BURDENED WITH POLITICAL NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE SECRET AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE * # EXETS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Department of State TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 STATE 025984 CONDITIONS OF THIS SORT, AND THAT IT IS PRECISELY WHEN THERE ARE DIFFICULT PROBLEMS TO SOLVE BETWEEN COUNTRIES THAT DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS ARE MOST USEFUL. WE HAVE nevertheless SOUGHT TO FOLLOW FAIR AND BALANCED POSITION ON ARAB-ISRAEL QUESTION, THE MOST CONCRETE EXPRESSION OF THAT POSITION BEING OUR FORMULATIONS OF OCTOBER 28 AND DECEMBER 18, AND HAVE HOPED THAT AT SOME POINT THIS WOULD LEAD UAR TO FIND RESTORATION IN ITS INTEREST. WE HAVE FURTHERMORE MADE CLEAR ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE USG (INCLUDING PRESIDENT'S REMARKS TO DR. FAWZI AFTER EISENHOWER FUNERAL) OUR OWN INTEREST IN RESUMING RELATIONS, BUT OUR MOVES IN THIS REGARD HAVE NOT BEEN RECIPROCATED. WE DO NOT WISH TO GO INTO TIRESOME RECITATION OF CHAPTER AND VERSE THIS REGARD, BUT THERE IS AMPLE, WRITTEN EVIDENCE THAT ABSENCE OF RELATIONS IS NOT DUE TO ANY LACK OF INTEREST ON OUR PART. 3. REGARDING IMPROVEMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS MENTIONED BY KARAME THERE HAS BEEN STEADY FLOW OF PROMINENT AMERICANS THROUGH CAIRO SINCE LATE 1967. ALL OF THEM HAVE GOTTEN SIMILAR MESSAGE FROM NASSER, I.E., HE WANTS POLITICAL settlement AND HE NEEDS SOME GESTURE FROM UNITED STATES AS JUSTIFICATION FOR RESUMING RELATIONS. WHEN WE HAVE TAKEN THESE CONVERSATIONS SERIOUSLY, WE HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED. FOR EXAMPLE, IN MARCH 1969 NASSER AGREED WITH ROBERT ANDERSON ON VERBATIM TEXT OF AMERICAN STATEMENT REGARDING settlement WHICH HE SAID WOULD SUFFICE AS BASIS FOR resumption. TEXT, WRITTEN OUT BY ANDERSON IN NASSER'S presence, WAS "PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND WITH- DRAWAL FROM THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES MUST COME AT ONE AND THE SAME TIME." THIS WAS MORE THAN MET BY SECRETARY'S speech OF MARCH 27, IN WHICH PEACE LINKED DIRECTLY TO WITHDRAWAL (AND WHICH DRAFTED AND APPROVED BEFORE WE KNEW OF ANDERSON- NASSER CONVERSATION) NASSER DID NOT FOLLOW THROUGH, HOWEVER, FOR REASONS OF HIS OWN. WHATEVER THOSE REASONS WERE, SUCH EXPERIENCES DO NOT ENCOURAGE US TO BELIEVE VISITS BY PRIVATE AMERICANS WILL IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS OR LEAD TO RESTORA- TION RELATIONS. 4. WE nevertheless REMAIN READY TO RESTORE RELATIONS WITH THE UAR AND TO DISCUSS substantive ISSUES OF A SETTLEMENT AT ANY TIME. WE HAVE so INFORMED THE EGYPTIANS ON FREQUENT OCCASIONS, BUT THEY ARE AT PRESENT AVOIDING MEANINGFUL NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THEEAEHORIZATION O THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE * Department of State GRITTED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM EXPIS EXPIS SECRET PAGE 03 STATE 025984 DIALOGUE WITH US AND MAKE NO BONES ABOUT IT. KARAME KNOWS AS WELL AS WE DO THAT CONVERSATIONS THROUGH NEWSPAPER EDITORS AND TV COMMENTATORS ARE NO SUBSTITUTE FOR DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKING OFFICIALLY AND FOR THE 5 OFFICIAL RECORD WE UNDERSTAND NASSER'S PRESENT RELUCTANCE TO ENTER INTO such DISCUSSIONS, BUT THERE IS NOT MUCH WE CAN DO ABOUT IT UNTIL HIS OFFICIALS ARE WILLING TO TALK BUSINESS. GP-1. RICHARDSON the NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. ORINO AMERICA * STATE OF DEPARTMENT Department of State TELEGRAM STATES OF SECRET 252 PAGE 01 STATE 020497 87 ORIGIN SS-45 02 INFO OCT-01 1046 R 66633 DRAFTED BY:NEA/IAI/WBSMOTH APPROVED BY:NEA/JOSEPH Jo SISCO NEA/IAI:ALATHERTON NEA/ARN:TWSEELYE S/S-MR. BREWSTER 087038 R 102255Z feb 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV SECRE T STATE 020497 70 FEB 11 AM 7:5A SITUATION SITUATION ROOM ROOM WHITE HOUSE EXDIS SUBJ: ARAB-ISRAEL NEGOTIATIONS REF: AMMAN 970 1 . EMBASSY HANDLED WELL THE DIFFICULT DISCUSSION FEB 2 " WITH FONOFF OFFICIAL MAKKAWI ON MIDDLE EAST SETTLEMENT SITUATION. 2. QUESTION OF HOW TO PHRASE ANY REFERENCE TO A RESUMPTION OF JARRING ACTIVITY (PARA 3 REFTEL) IS COMPLICATED. WHILE ACTIVITY IN WHICH JARRING ENGAGED IN 1968 AMOUNTED TO INDIRECT NEGOTIATIONS OF A PRELIMINARY EXPIS KIND, WE BELIEVE RESUMPTION OF JARRING'S MISSION, IF IT IS TO GET ANYWHERE, MUST INVOLVE MIXTURE OF INDIRECT AND DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS ALONG RHODES PATTERN AND WOULD HOPE THIS PROCESS COUND BEGIN WITH FEW OR NO PRELIMINARIES SUCH AS ANOTHER TOUR BY JARRING OF AREA CAPITALS. 3. US POSITION IS THAT CONCEPT OF NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN PARTIES MUST BE ONE WHICH NOT ONLY DOES NOT PRECLUDE A NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE * Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 STATE 020497 MIXTURE OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT SESSIONS, BUT EMBRACES BOTH KINDS OF TALKS. DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS NEED NOT TAKE PLACE AT OUTSET, BUT FORMULA MUST MEAN DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS AT SOME STAGE UNDER JARRING'S AUSPICES, JARRING CAN HÄNDLE THIS IN SUCH A WAY TO DOWNPLAY PROCESS, AND EACH SIDE CAN PUBLICLY JUSTIFY ENGAGEMENT IN ITS OWN TERMS, ONE STRESSING DIRECT, OTHER STRESSING INDIRECT. 4.0 IT WOULD BE USEFUL TO ENSURE OUR POSITION IS FULLY UNDERSTOOD BY APPROPRIATE GOL OFFICIALS AS OCCASION ARISES. GP=3 RICHARDSON «10 EEB W 1:20 NOT TO BE REPRODU WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATIO OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. 1/18/10 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. NODIS Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE WH 4 N Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SECRET TELEGRAM CONTROL: 480Q P 031740Z MAY 71 RECD: MAY 3, 19 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 3:44 P.M. TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3709 BT SECRE T BEIRUT 3675 NODIS SECTO 95 N FOR PRESIDENT FROM SECRETARY I HAVE COMPLETED A WHIRLWIND 24-HOUR STAY IN SAUDI ARABIA WHICH, AS IN THE CASE OF TURKEY, LEAVES ME REASSURED ABOUT THE STEADFAST FRIENDSHIP OF FAISAL, DESPITE HIS OBSESSIVE PREOCCUPATION WITH THE "ZIONIST-COMMUNIST CONSPIRACY" AND HIS UNDERSTANDABLE CONCERN THAT AS LONG AS THE ARAB-ISRAELI DISPUTE FESTERS HE IS VULNERABLE IN THE ARAB WORLD BECAUSE OF HIS OPENLY DECLARED CLOSE FRIENDSHIP FOR THE U.S. THIS ATTITUDE WAS BSST EPITOMIZED BY THE VARY ABLE FOREIGN MINISTER SAQQAF, WHO SAID "WE WILL BE YOUR FRIEND NO MATTER WHAT." SAUDIS ARE OBVIOUSLY SATISFIED WITH OIL SITUATION. THE ANACHRONISM OF THE SAUDI ARABIAN MONARCHY IS FAMILIAR TO YOU. YET PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN DEFENSE, IN EDUCATION, EVIDENCE OF BUILDING IS everywhere, AND SLOWLY-- ADMITTEDLY TOO SLOWLY -- SO ME MODERNIZATION DOES APPEAR, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT BEING AVAILABILITY OF TV. WHAT SURPRISED ME WAS THE CALIBER OF THE KING'S COURT MINISTERS YOUNG, VIGOROUS, HAND- N SOME ARABS (THE SAUDIS, AS YOU KNOW, ARE THE PUREST STRAIN OF ARAB WITH LESS OUTSIDE MIXTURE), WHO ARE SEEKING WAYS TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN OLD AND NEW, BUT IN WAYS WHICH HELP ASSURE INTERNAL SECURITY. IN THIS LATTER CONNECTION, PRINCE FAHD, A HALF BROTHER OF THE KING, ON OF THE BEST, GAVE ME A FULL PICTURE OF HOW EFFECTIVELY AN OFFICER PLOT OF ABOUT A YEAR AGO HAS BEEN HANDLED. IN SHORT, THE KNOWN HEIR APPARENT AND THE LARGE NUMBER OF MINISTERS ARE FRIENDLY TO THE US. AS ONE OF OUR OFFICERS SAID, AS WE TALKED TO 30 OR SO MINISTERS, "LOOK AROUND AND YOU WILL SEE A ROOM FULL OF FRIENDS OF THE US." THE SAUDIS SEEM SATISFIED WITH OUR BILATERAL RELATIONS. YOU ARE TOUGH NEGOTIATORS, SAID SAQAAF, BUT ONCE THE CONTRACT IS SIGNED, THE WORK DONE IS EXCELLENT, WE WANT NO OTHER." OUR MILITARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS IN GOOD SHAPE, INCLUDING TRAINING. THEY ARE PARTICULARLY PROUD THAT SO ME 2,000 SAUDIS HAVE BEEN STUDENTS IN THE US. NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2-BEIRUT 3675, MAY 3 IN OUR SUBSTANTIVE TALKS, 4 HOURS OF WHICH WERE IN TWO INSTALL- MENTS WITH FAISAL, 3 AREAS WERE DISCUSSED. ON THE MIDDLE EAST, WHILE HE CONTINUES TO SEE A ZIONIST-COMMUNIST PLOT, HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT ANY PEACE SETTLEMENT AGREED TO BETWEEN ISRAEL, JORDAN, AND EGYPT AND CLAIMS A DIRECT SUB- STANTIVE INTEREST ONLY ON JERUSALEM. HE EXPRESSED HOPE SO ME STEP FORWARD WOULD RESULT FROM MY TRIP, WHICH IN TURN WOULD PROVIDE A FAVORABLE SETTING FOR A POSSIBLE ONE-DAY STOP IN WASHINGTON AT THE END OF THE MONTH. ON THE PERSIAN GULF, I URGED GREATER SAUDI DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE SHEIKS IN ORDER TO HELP BRING ABOUT EARLY FEDERATION OF THE TRUCIAL STATES AND CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE SHAH. KING FAISAL FAVORS A STRONG US PRESENCE IN THE M.E., HE BELIEVES A SETTLEMENT WILL LEAD TO THE EGYPTIANS TELLING THE SOVIETS TO GET OUT, AND HE IS CONVINCED THIS IS SADAT'S DESIRE. I AGREED A SETTLEMENT WILL CREATE CONDITIONS WHICH COULD LEAD TO REDUCED SOVIET INFLUENCE IN THE AREA, BUT POINTED OUT THAT CZECHOSLOVAKIA AND THE BREZHNEV DOCTRINE INDICATED WILL BE NO EASY TASK TO GET THE RUSSIANS OUT. ON NORTH YEMEN, WHICH IS ANXIOUS TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH US, I MADE CLEAR WE ARE READY TO MOVE FROM OUR LIMITED US PRESENCE OF THE KIND WE HAVE IN CAIRO TO FULL DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WHENEVER CONDITIONS MAKE IT POSSIBLE. THE SAUDIS, AS WE DO, SEE OUR PRESENCE THERE AS A COUNTER TO THE MAOIST AND SOVIET ACTIVITY GOING ON FURTHER SOUTH IN ADEN. AT FAISAL'S URGING, WE WILL ALSO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK TO SEE WHETHER WE CAN PROVIDE SOME SMALL AMOUNT OF ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO NORTH YEMEN BEYOND THE PRESENT VERY MODEST PROGRAM. AS I HOPE TO DE ELSEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, I WAS ABLE TO SEE SOMETHING OF THE CITY OF RIYADH AND THE PEOPLE. IN THE OLD CITY, THERE WERE FRIENDLY HANDSHAKES AND AT THE UNIVERSITY I FOUND REASONABLY BALANCED VIEWS IN A GIVE AND TAKE SESSION ON OUR MIDDLE EASTERN POLICY WITH 200 STUDENTS. ROGERS BT NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. ECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. IN DE Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET Eyes only Jen Haig 0 0409502 MAY 71 Control: 697Q FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT Recd: May 4, -1971 TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3717 7:57 a.m. BT SECRET BEIRUT 3692 NODIS SECTO 100 FOR PRESIDENT FROM SECRETARY N 1. ALONG WITH FAISAL WE HAVE A VERY CLOSE FRIEND IN HUSSEIN WITH WHOM I HAVE SPENT THE LAST 24 HOURS. AGAIN I BALANCED MY TIME BETWEEN WARM AND FRIENDLY TALKS AND SEEING THE AREAS OF THE SEPTEMBER CRISIS AND GEOGRAPHICAL POINTS RELEVANT TO A SETTLEMENT. 2. HIS PRINCIPAL PREOCCUPATION WAS THAT HE NOT BE LEFT IN THE LURCH WITH THE PALESTINE PROBLEM WHILE THE EGYPTIANS AND ISRAELIS AGREE ON A SUEZ CANAL PARTIAL SETTLEMENT. I ASSURED MIM WE WOULD DO EVERYTHING WE COULD TO GET THE PARTIES TO RELATE ANY INTERIM SETTLEMENT TO AN OVERALL SETTLEMENT. HIS STRONG AND IMPRESSIVE PRIME MINISTER WASFI TELL CAME UP WITH A FRESH IDEA WHICH I MAY EXPLORE IN TEL AVIV; NAMELY, GETTING A SIMULTANEOUS NEGOTIATING PROCESS STARTED ON JERUSALEM SO THAT JORDAN WILL NOT BE ON THE SIDELINE WHILE THE INTERIM SETTLEMENT IS BEING EXPLORED BY THE UAR AND ISRAEL THROUGH US. YOU WILL BE PLEASED I AM SURE, AS WE WERE, THAT THEY WOULD LIKE US TO PLAY N A CONSTRUCTIVE IN-BETWEEN ROLE ON THIS ASPECT, BUT WE WILL HAVE TO GIVE SERIOUS THOUGHT AS TO WHERE THIS WOULD LEAVE JARRING IF WE ARE PRESSED TO TAKE ON THIS JOB AS WELL. MOREOVER, JERUSALEM IS so COMPLICATED THAT EARLY POSITIVE RESULTS ARE UNLIKELY; BUT IF AN ACTIVE NEGOTIATING PROCESS IS ESSENTIAL TO THE KING, WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE A SYMPATHETIC ATTITUDE TOWARD IT. 3. 1 ALSO AGREED TO TAKE UP WITH PRIMIN MEIR THE JORDANIAN CONCERN OVER THE CONTINUOUS UNILATERAL STEPS BEING TAKEN BY ISRAEL AMOUNTING TO DE FACTO ANNEXATION AND TRANS- FORMATION OF CHARACTER OF JERUSALEM. WE HAVE LONG BEEN CONCERNED THAT THESE STEPS ARE PREJUDICIAL TO AN OVERALL SOLUTION. THE JORDANIANS ARE HOLDING OFF ON AN SC MEETING PENDING THE RESULTS OF MY DISCUSSIONS ON SECRET WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY c.O. 12958, as amended, Sect 3.5 By P.H 12/27 8-4-2009 NARA, Date 10. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2- - BEIRUT 3692, AY 4, 1971 THIS TRIP. THE KING IN HIS GENTLE AND ALMOST APOLOGETIC WAY PLEADED THAT WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN WITH ISRAEL. HE IS A REALIST; HE DOES NOT EXPECT THE MOON, BUT HE WANTS ENOUGH PROGRESS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN FULLY HIS UPPER HAND AGAINST THE FEDAYEEN. 4. IN THIS CONNECTION, MY TRIP AROUND JORDAN WAS USEFUL. THE KING AND HIS BROTHER PRINCE HASSAN DELIGHTED IN PERSONALLY DRIVING ME AND SISCO RESPECTIVELY THROUGH THE WHOLE CITY OF AMMAN TO SHOW HOW QUIET IT IS, HOW HE IS IN FULL CONTROL, AND TO POINT OUT THE KEY LOCATIONS AND BATTLES OF THE SEPTEMBER CRISIS. THIS MORNING WE TOOK A THREE-HOUR HELICOPTER TRIP ALL ALONG THE JORDAN RIVER UP TO THE POINT IN THE NORTH WHERE N ISRAEL, JORDAN, SYRIA, AND LEBANON JOIN, AND RETURNED VIA THE NORTHERN AREA AND IRBID WHERE JORDANIAN TANKS LICKED THE SYRIANS. WE FOLLOWED THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE EAST GHOR CANAL BUILT WITH AMERICAN MONEY AND SAW WHAT WATER AND IRRIGATION CAN MEAN TO THIS PART OF THE WORLD. ABOVE ALL, IT POINTED UP POIGNANTLY HOW SENSELESS THE ANIMOSITY IS AND HOW BENEFICIAL PEACE WOULD BE TO ALL. AFTER THE FINAL LUNCHEON AT THE PRIME MINISTER'S HOME KING HUSSEIN IN AN EXTRAORDINARY GESTURE INSISTED ON FLYING US TO THE AIRPORT BY HELICOPTER. HE FLEW THE HELICOPTER HIMSELF. AT THE AIRPORT HE AND I REVIEWED THE TROOPS AND THEN HE WAITED AT THE RAMP AND WAVED GOODBYE AS WE TOOK OFF. END GP-3. ROGERS BT SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY [NLN09-12/27 P. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. N DEPARTMENT OF STATE HAKIB Department of State UNITED AMERICA P R 031628Z MAY 71 SITUATION TELEGRAM STATTS OF SECRET Wd FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3707 CONTROL: 463Q INFO RUEHCR/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 5174 RECD: MAY 3, 197 BT 2:44 P.M. SE CRE T BEIRUT 3670 NODIS SECTO 94 SUBJ: SECVISIT ME: KING HUSSEIN'S REPLY TO PRESIDENT'S LETTER FOLLOWING IS REPLY OF KING HUSSEIN TO PRESIDENT NIXON'S LETTER, N LEFT WITH THE KING YESTERDAY. ORIGINAL WILL BE CARRIED BACK WITH US. BEGIN QUOTE THE ROYAL PALACE, AMMAN, JORDAN, MAY 3, 1971 DEAR MR. PRESIDENT, IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE AND PLEASURE FOR ME TO WELCOME TO JORDAN THE SECRETARY OF STATE THE HONOURABLE WILLIAM ROGERS. IN JORDAN HE IS AMONGST FRIENDS. I AM GRATEFUL TO YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, FOR THE KIND LETTER WHICH THE SECRETARY HAS DELIVERED TO ME, AND FOR THE ASSURANCES OF CONTINUED FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT. I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE PASSING THROUGH A VERY N CRITICAL STAGE IN OUR COMMON SEARCH FOR PEACE. TIME IS RUNNING OUT, AND WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE UNITED STATES, WILL NOT ALLOW THIS LAST CHANCE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PEACE TO RUN OUT. I FEEL THAT MY TALKS WITH THE SECRETARY HAVE NOT ONLY BEEN USEFUL AND PRODUCTIVE, BUT WOULD ASSURE YOU OF OUR DETERMINATION TO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE POLICY OF CONTINUED COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED STATES IN THE CAUSE OF PEACE, FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL GIVE ME THE HONOUR OF WELCOMING YOU TN JORDAN AT ANY TIME CONVENIENT TO YOU. DECLASSIFIED YOUR SINCERE FRIEND, E.O. 12958, as amended, Sect 3.5 12/28 Lt 8-4-2009 HUSSEIN. END QUOTE. By P.H ROGERS NARA, Date 10.22.09 (1061) NOT TO BE at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY ECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE WH Department of State UNITED STATES OF STATE AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET, 8 HAK 0 221200Z APR 71 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3579 BT SECRE T BEIRUT 3293 SITUA ION ROOM NODIS APR 74320 22 AM 46 Apr EHOUSE 36Z SUBJECT: SECVISIT ME N REF: STATE 068315 1. FOLLOWING OUR BEST ESTIMATE SITUATION SECRETARY AND PARTY LIKELY FACE DURING BEIRUT VISIT. A. AS INDICATED PREVIOUS MESSAGES, DEMONSTRATIONS ARE PROBABLE. THERE PROBABLY WOULD BE MARCH THROUGH BEIRUT OF BETWEEN 5,000-10, 000 PERSONS ORGANIZAED BY PALESTINIAN ORGANIZATIONS AND LEFTIST GROUPS GENERALLY (PFLP, COMMIES, PPS, STUDENTS, ETC.). SUCH DEMONSTRATIONS WOULD REQUIRE PERMIT BY GOVERNMENT. IF GOVERNMENT PERMITTED DEMONSTRATIONS, AT MINIMUM IT WOULD INSIST DEMONSTRATORS BE UNARMED AND WOULD HAVE SECURITY FORCES ACCOMPANY DEMONSTRATORS. WE S COULD ASK GOVERNMENT TO REFUSE PERMISSION (WHICH HAS NOT BEEN DONE IN PAST) BUT GOVERNMENT ITSELF WOULD HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER BETTER TO PERMIT GROUPS LET OFF STEAM IN "LICENSED" DEMONSTRATIONS RATHER THAN REFUSE ANY FORM OF PROTEST. EVEN IN SUCH DEMONSTRATION CANNOT COMPLETELY RULE OUT POSSIBILITY SOME ELEMENTS COULD INFILTRATE WITH ARMS AND TOUCH OFF INCIDENTS. N IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT ATTACKS WOULD BE MADE ON US OFFICIAL INSTALLATIONS IN AREA (EMBASSY BUILDING AND USIS CULTURAL CENTER) AND US BUSINESS INSTALLATIONS (BANK OF AMERICA, TAPLINE, ETC.). IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITH NUMBERS OF SECURITY FORCES AVAILABLE TO PROTECT NON- GOVERNMENTAL UE INSTALLATIONS IN BEIRUT, ALTHOUGH WE BELIEVE OFFICIAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED. ALL FOREGOING WOULD BE FAR-REMOVED FROM SECRETARY PERSONALLY, ASSUING HE CONFINES VISIT TO AREA OF RESIDENCE AND PRESIDENTIAL PALACE. WE ARE ASSIGNING TOP PRIORITY TO COLLECTION OF INTELLIGENCE ON ANY MEASURES EXPECTED AGAINST VISIT TO ASSURE MAXIMUM POSSIBLE ADVANCE NOTICE. IN PAST SUCH EFFORTS HAVE AFFORDED ADEQUATE NOTICE. B. SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS: NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced SECRET Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2- - BEIRUT 3293, CN-7432Q (1) AIRPORT ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: CLEAR BALCONIES, COVER ROOFTOPS, REMOTE PARKING OF AIRCRAFT, CLOSE CONTROL OF PRESS AND ACCESS TO AIRCRAFT PARKING AREA. (2) SECRETARY'S IMMEDIATE PARTY HELICOPTER FROM AIRPORT TO POINT CLOSEST TO RESIDENCE. HELICOPTER LANDING AREA WOULD BE STRICTLY CONTROLLED. MOTORCADE FROM HELIPORT TO RESIDENCE (OR AIRPORT TO RESIDENCE AS ALTERNATE IF HELICOPTER USE NOT POSSIBLE) WITH MINIMUM OF FOUR MOTORCYCLES AND THREE SECURITY CARS. (3) SECRETARY'S RESIDENCE: WILL RESIDE WITH AMBASSADOR. AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO PRESIDENTIAL PALACE WHERE THERE IS MAXIMUM SECURITY. AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE PRESENTLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 15 GENDARMES ASSIGNED. WOULD REQUEST INCREASE THIS NUMBER. MARINE GUARD WILL BE ASSIGNED AT RESIDENCE DURING VISIT. (4) REMAINDER OF OFFICIAL PARTY, STAFF AND PRESS MOTORCADE TO HOTEL: MOTORCYCLE ESCORT: SEDANS FOR SENIOR OFFICERS EACH WITH GOL SECURITY IN RIGHT FRONT SEAT: BUS FOR STAFF AND PRESS WITH GOL SECURITY ON BUS; GOL SECURITY FOLLOW VEHICLE. (5) CREW MOTORCADE: BUS FOR CREW WITH GOL SECURITY ON BUS. (6) ALL MOTORCADES WILL REQUIRE TRAFFIC CONTROL AT CRITICAL POINTS. MOTORCADES WILL BE IN RADIO CONTACT WITH EMBASSY SECURITY CONTROL CENTER. (7) HOTEL SECURITY: PLAN TO PLACE STAFF, PRESS AND CREW ON LIMITED NUMBER OF FLOORS. EACH FLOOR WILL HAVE ENOUGH GOL UNIFORMED POLICE TO COVER ENTRANCE POINTS. WILL REQUEST GENERAL SECURITY COVERAGE OF HOTEL AND EXTERIOR. (8) PARTY SHOULD BE BRIEFED BEFORE ARRIVAL ON SECURITY PRECAUTIONS TO INCLUDE TRAVEL ON BUDDY SYTEM, AVOIDING PHOTOGRAPHY OF REFUGEE CAMPS, USE OF HOTEL TAXIS OR MOTOR POOL VEHICLES, NOT ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED PACKAGES. NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -3- BEIRUT 3293, N-7423Q (9) MARINE GUARD POST WILL BE SET UP AT S/S OFFICE IN EMBASSY. ADDITIONAL MARINE GUARD WILL BE ASSIGNED TO EMBASSY LOBBY. (10) WE WOULD REQUEST INCREASED GOL SECURITY AT EMBASSY, JFK CULTURAL CENTER AND USIS REGIONAL SERVICES CENTER. (11) SECURITY CONTROL IN EMBASSY WILL BE LOCATED IN NCOIC'S OFFICE IN LOBBY STAFFED BY MARINE GUARD, GOL LIAISON OFFICER AND ONE EMBASSY LOCAL SECURITY INVESTIGATOR. (12) CLOSED PANEL TRUCK AND FOLLOW CAR WITH MARINE GUARD ESCORT WILL BE PROVIDED FOR CLASSIFIED AND GOL SECURITY FOLLOW CAR. (13) BAGGAGE WILL BE UNDER AMERICAN CONTROL UPON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE. GOL SECURITY FOR BAGGAGE TO TO BOTH AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE AND HOTEL. C. WITH SECRETARY AND IMMEDIATE PARTY BEING FLOWN BY HELICOPTER TO LANDING POINT IN IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF RESIDENCE, BEING HOUSED THERE, AND HIS MOVEMENTS RESTRICTED TO A RELATIVELY SMALL AREA IN VICINITY OF RESIDENCE, WE SEE MINIMAL RISK OF BOMBING, ASSASSINATION, OR OTHER TYPE OF ATTEMPT ON SECURITY SECRETARY AND THOSE STAYING IN RESIDENCE. WE, OF COURSE, CANNOT COMPLETELY EXCLUDE POSSIBILITY ISOLATED ACT BY FANATIC BUT STRONGLY DOUBT LIKELIHOOD. RESIDENCE IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO LEBANESE ARMY HEADQUARTERS AND PRESIDENCY, BOT OF WHICH HEAVILY N GUARDED EVEN IN NORMAL TIMES. OTHER MEMBERS OF PARTY WHO WILL BE HOUSED IN TOWN OBVIOUSLY SOMEWHAT MORE VULNERABLE BUT ALSO SOMEWHAT LESS CONSPICUOUS TARGETS. WE BELIEVE SECURITY MEASURES WHICH GOL AND MISSION WILL TAKE MAKE RISK MANAGEABLE. GP-3. BUFFUM BT VLUSS BECEINED'NEC NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been detèrmined to be declassified. N DEPARTMENT OF STATE WH HAK8 Department of State OF STATES UNITED AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET P 211116Z APR 71 Control: 6871Q FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT Recd: April 21, 1971 TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3567 7:56 a.m. BT SECRET BEIRUT 3246 NODIS 1. PER DEPTEL 67190 I INFORMED FOREIGN MINISTER ABOUHAMAD NOON APRIL 21 SECRETARY DESIRES VISIT LEBANON FIRST WEEK N IN MAY. 2. ABOUHAMAD'S RESPONSE WAS IMMEDIATE AND POSITIVE. HE SAID SECRETARY WOULD BE WELCOME HERE ANY TIME (AS PRESIDENT FRANGIE HAS TOLD ME PREVIOUSLY). 3.F FOREIGN MINISTER SAID TIMING OF VISIT WAS ESPECIALLY BECEINED GOOD SINCE HE WILL BE VISITING CAIRO APRIL 27-30 AND WILL BE HAPPY CONVEY TO SECRETARY HIS IMPRESSIONS OF CURRENT SITUATION IN UAR. as 4. IN THIS CONNECTION, HE REPORTED LONG TALK YESTERDAY WITH UAR AMBASSADOR WHO EMPHASIZED THAT RECENT MEETING AND COMMUNIQUE ON ESTABLISHMENT TRIPARTITE FEDERATION IN NO WAY CHANGED UAR FOREGIN POLICY. IN PARTICULAR, HE STRESSED UAR GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO SC RES 242, TO ROGERS PLAN, AND TO ANSWERS RECENTLY GIVEN JARRING ABOUT EGYPTIAN POSITION. GP-3. BUFFUM N BT ROOM SITUATION HOUSE SECRET '71 APR 21 AM 9:58 NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. N DEPARTMENT OF STATE 8 Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM HAK SECRET P 201035Z APR 71 S SITUATION ROOM 2 WHITE HOUSE 6435Q FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT APR Z16 30 TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3553 '71 APR 20 71 17 BT SECRET BEIRUT 3209 - CORRECTED COPY NODIS N REF: STATE 66514 FOR SECRETARY FROM AMBASSADOR 1. BELIEVE VISIT DESCRIBED REFTEL HIGHLY DESIRABLE. (SECURITY ASPECTS DISCUSSED SEPARATE CHANNEL.) YOUR APPEARANCE WOULD BE WELCOME EVIDENCE IN LEBANON OF CONTINUING DEPP US CONCERN ABOUT NEED TO MO VE TOWARD POLITICAL SETTLEMENT AND OF YOUR PERSONAL INTEREST IN AREA. IT WOULD ALSO OFFER WELCOME OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO MEET WITH NEW LEBANESE GOVERNMENT UNDER STRONGLY PRO-WESTERN CHRISTIAN PRESIDENT, FRANGIE. S 2. RISK THAT TRIP WOULD CREATE UNDUE EXPECTATIONS IS QUITE MANAGEABLE HERE GIVEN PRECAUTIONS ENVISAGED. 3. SEE NO PROBLEM IN ITINERARY DESCRIBED AND WOULD WELCOME YOU MOST WARMLY AT ANY POINT. GP-3. BUFFUM N NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. N DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN TELEGRAM SECRET wid R 271110Z JAN 71 12 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2932 6664Q BT 1971 JAN 27 1209Z SECRET BEIRUT 0731 NODIS 1. DURING CONVERSATION JANUARY 27 WITH PRESIDENT FRANGIE I SAID WE HAD IMPRESSION THERE WAS INDICATIONS OF INCREASING RESENTMENT AMONG FATAH LEADERSHIP WITH HABBASH AND PFLP AND THOUGHT THERE MIGHT BE EFFORT BY ARAFAT TO BRING HABBASH UNDER CONTROL. FRANGIE SAID HE IS SURE IT WILL NOT WORK. HABBASH IS "TOO MUCH OF A FOX." EVEN IF HE MAKES TACTICAL RETREATS BY TEMPORARY INDICATIONS OF WILLINGNESS TO COOPERATE, HE WILL SEEK EVERY OPPORTUNITY FOR PROVOCATIONS TO CAUSE EMBARRASS- MENT FOR EXISTING REGIMES IN AREA. 2. HE SPOKE WITH CONCERN ABOUT WHAT PFLP MIGHT DO AFTER FEBRUARY 5, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE HE HAD SEEN SAME REPORT CAS TRANSMITTED IN NLB 11,453 OF JANUARY 23. 3. FRANGIE COMMENTED. THAT PFLP CONSISTED OF HIGHLY TRAINED CADRE AND HE WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THEY TRIED SOME- THING LIKE ADDITIONAL HIGHJACKINGS. GP-3. BUFFUM SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE '71 JAN 27 AM 9:36 NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE 11 WH Department of State OF STATES OF UNITED AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET 64210 1970 DECEMBER 30 R 301545Z DEC 70 1:37 P.M. FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2734 BT '70 DEC 30 PM 22 SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE SECRET BEIRUT 11020 NODIS REF: BEIRUT 10980 1. BY WAY FURTHER COMMENT ON CONVERSATION WITH FRANGIE, I HAVE AGAIN REVIEWED INTERNAL SECURITY SITUATION. WE HAVE NO EVIDENCE OF MAJOR COMMUNIST INFILTRATION OF FEDAYEEN MOVEMENT. COMMANDOS HAVE FOR LONG TIME HAD STOCKPILES OF WEAPONS, INCLUDING ROCKETS AND MORTARS IN LEBANON. WE KNOW OF NOTHING NEW IN THIS REGARD. 2. OUR GENERAL IMPRESSION IS THAT PALESTINIAN MOVEMENT REMAINS IN DISARRAY AFTER JORDANIAN CLASHES AND THAT GENERAL SECURITY SITUATION HERE BETTER THAN AT ANY RECENT PERIOD. ACCORDINGLY, WE DOUBT LIKELIHOOD OF SERIOUS FULL-SCALE CLASHES BETWEEN COMMANDOS AND GOVERNMENT FORCES. CONSIDERABLE RISK EXISTS, HOWEVER, THAT, IN DESPERATION, CERTAIN PALESTINAISN, ESPECIALLY OF PFLP STRIPE, MAY RESORT TO INCREASED INDIVIDUAL ACTS OF TERRORISM SUCH AS KIDNAPPING AND ASSASSINATION. 3. CAS CONCURS. GP-3. BUFFUM SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF 1 STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET OL. $ CONTROL: 62200 P 291547Z DEC 70 RECD: DEC 29, 1970 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 9:25 TION P.M. TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2714 BT AM SECRET BEIRUT 10980 ROOM HOUSE NODIS 36 SUBJECT: LEBANESE SECURITY AND ARMS SUPPLY N SUMMARY: IN MEETING DECEMBER 29 PRESIDENT FRANGIE TOLD ME THAT DESPITE IMMINENT RESUMPTION OF JARRING NEGOTIATIONS HE IS MUCH CONCERNED ABOUT FUTURE SECURITY SITUATION IN LEBANON AND MADE CLEAR US PROPOSED $5 MILLION GRANT OF ARMS WOULD BE MOST WELCOME AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WE COULD SUPPLY. 1. HE IS WORRIED THAT INCREASED PROBLEMS FOR FEDAYEEN IN JORDAN MAY LEAD COMMANDOS TO TRANSFER MORE OF THEIR OPERATIONS TO LEBANON. (WE HAVE INTELLIGENCE REPORTS INDICATING SUCH A POSSIBILITY, IN FACT, BEING CONSIDERED BY FEDAYEEN.) HE CONFIRMED REPORTS THAT FEDAYEEN GROUPS HAVE BEEN RENTING APARTMENTS IN STRATEGIC LOCATIONS AROUND BEIRUT (BEIRUT 10665) AND SAID THEY HAVE EVEN ACQUIRED ONE NEAR PRESI- DENCY IN YARZEH SUBURB. FRANGIE MAINTAINED THE FEDAYEEN HAVE NOT ONLY MODERN RIFLES OUTCLASSING LEBANESE SECURITY FORCES, BUT EVEN ROCKETS AND MORTARS WHICH HAVE BEEN SMUGGLED INTO BEIRUT AND STORED HERE. HE ALSO CONCERNED THAT COMMUNIST ELEMENTS ALLEGEDLY NOW BEGINNING TO INFILTRATE COMMANDO MOVEMENT SUCCESSFULLY IN WAKE OF DEFEAT FEDAYEEN HAVE SUFFERED IN JORDAN. 2. FRANGIE HAD NO SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS OR REQUESTS TO MAKE IN FACE OF WHAT HE REGARDS AS SERIOUS LONG-TERM THREAT TO HIS COUNTRY'S SECURITY. IT WAS OF INTEREST TO ME THAT HE DWELLED AT GREAT LENGTH ON THIS SUBJECT WHILE SHRUGGING OFF BRIEFLY LAST NIGHT'S ISRAELI RAID ON LEBANESE VILLAGES. 3. HE INDICATED WORRY THAT DESPITE SECURITY SITUATION HE WAS OBLIGED TO SQUEEZE DEFENSE BUDGET TO MEET PRESSING NEEDS IN SOCIAL SECTOR, SUCH AS HEALTH AND EDUCATION. THIS CONNECTION, HE MADE ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT DESPITE PRESS AND POLITICAL CRITICISM OF US PROPOSED $5 MILLION GRANT, RECEIPT OF SUCH GIFT FROM US WOULD BE MOST WELCOME FROM HIM. HE NOTED THAT HE NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2- BEIRUT 10980, DEC 29 HAD NO ILLUSIONS LEBANON COULD EQUIP DEFENSE ESTABLISHMENT ADE- QUATELY TO RESIST ISRAELI INCURSIONS AND SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO DEPEND ON US TO ASSURE SUCH OPERATIONS KEPT WITHIN REASON- ABLE BOUNDS. HE GREAT. NEED, AS HE PUT IT FRANKLY, WAS TO ASSURE FUTURE INTERNAL SECURITY OF COUNTRY. HE SAID THAT IF ARMS FLOW FROM OUTSIDE TO FEDAYEEN CONTINUES AS IN PAST, BY YEAR FROM NOW HE MIGHT HAVE TO SEE TO IT SOMEHOW THAT EVERY LOYAL LEBANESE WAS ALSO ARMED. 4. I USED OCCASION TO INFORM PRESIDENT FRANKLY THAT IN PREVIOUS YEARS LEBANESE OFFICIALS HAD NOT RESPONDED QUICKLY AND SYSTEMATICALLY WHEN SERIOUS OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED THEMSELVES FOR SUPPLY OF ARMS FROM US. I URGED THAT IN EVENT US FINALLY ABLE MAKE FIRM OFFER OF $5 MILLION GRANT HIS EXPERTS BE PREPARED SIT DOWN WITH OURS ON SHORT NOTICE AND INDICATE WHAT THEIR PRIORITY REQUIREMENTS ARE. I SAID I BELIEVED LIST SHOULD INCLUDE ARMS NEEDED FOR GENDARMERIE AS WELL AS ARMY. HE PARTICULARLY CONCURRED ON LATTER POINT, SAYING TO HIS MIND GENDARMERIE HAS GREATER NEED THAN REGULAR ARMY SINCE THEY WOULD BEAR INITIAL BRUNT OF ANY CON- FRONTATION WITH FEDAYEEN. COMMENT: I HOPE THAT THIS NATURAL OCCASION FOR GOING INTO ARMS SUPPLY PROBLEM WILL SERVE TO LIGHT A FIRE UNDER LEBANESE BUREAUCRACY AND THAT THEIR FUTURE PERFORMANCE WILL BE GREATER THAN IN PAST WHEN AND IF WE CAN OFFER GRANT. GP-3. BUFFUM BT SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE 11 WH Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET P 281118Z DEC 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 585 4 Q 30 OL. TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2695 BT 1970 DECEMBER 28 S SE C R E T BEIRUT 10911 7:31 A.M. NODIS 28 AM 50 SITUATION SITU ATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE JOINT STATE-DEFENSE MESSAGE REF: STATE 207537 N 1. LEBANESE ARMY STAFF RECENTLY COMPLETED STUDY OF TOTAL LONG-RANG MILITARY EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS WHICH HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY GENERAL NOUJAIM. THIS STUDY NOW BEING REVIEW- ED BY DEFENSE AND FINANCE MINISTRIES AND IS STILL SUBJECT TO CABINET APPROVAL. AS SOON AS USG APPROVAL OF GRANT OBTAINED WE WILL, OF COURSE, URGE THIS PROCESS BE EXPEDITED. UNTIL WE ABLE TO MAKE FIRM COMMITMENT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO GO FURTHER THAN WE ALREADY HAVE IN EXPRESSING HOPE TO NOUJAIM GOL WILL BE PREPARED MOVE QUICKLY IF CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL RECEIVED. 2. IN ORDER TO DEVELOP CONCRETE $5 MILLION ARMS PACKAGE, LEBANESE WOULD REQUIRE CURRENT COST AND AVAILABILITY DATA. THE ONLY SUCH INFORMATION THEY PRESENTLY HAVE ON MAJOR ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT IS THAT CONCERNING THE M-41 TANKS. HOWEVER, FACT THAT MILITARY EQUIPMENT STUDY HAS BEEN COM- PLETED WILL OBVIOQVLY FACILITATE TASK OF PRODUCING SHOPPING LIST OF $5 MILLION WHICH WOULD REFLECT THEIR CURRENT PRIORITIES. NOUJAIM HAS ALREADY AGREED THAT THE PROPER PROCEDURE FOR PRODUCING SUCH A LIST WOULD BE FOR U.S. SERVICE ATTACHES, ARMED WITH COST AND AVAILABILITY DATA, TO WORK TOGETHER WITH LEBANESE STAFF OFFICERS IN A JOINT PROJECT. 3. WE DOUBT PRESS CRITICISM OF U.S. GRANT, WHICH IS CON- TINUING, IS LIKELY TO DETER GOVERNMENT FROM ACCEPTING OFFER. AMBASSADOR SOUNDED TUENI OUT ON THIS AT RECENT DINNER PARTY AND HE WAS CONFIDENT GOL WOULD OVERRIDE CRITICISM AND WELCOME OFFER. HOWEVER, WE ARE WATCHING THIS CLOSELY, AND AMBASSADOR PLANS GET INFORMAL READING OF PRESIDENT FRANGIE'S VIEWS ON SUBJECT IN NEXT MEETING WITH HIM, 9 A.M. DECEMBER 29. IF ANY NEW DEVELOPMENTS ON SUBJECT WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING BY THEN. GP-3 BUFFUM SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STITE WIT Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET OL. 11 R 271555Z OCT 70 TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2299 SITUAT 68580 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT BT 27 Oct 70 17.47 Z SECRET BEIRUT 9359 OH NODIS CORRECTED COPY CORRECTION IS REFERENCE NUMBER. OM SUBJ: MILITARY ASSISTANCE FOR LEBANON 45 REF: STATE 161364 1. FOLLOWING IS SUMMARY 0F ECONOMIC JUSTIFICATION FOR $5 MILLION GRANT MILITARY ASSISTANCE FOR LEBANON. DETAILS FOLLOW BY AIRGRAM. 2. LEBANON'S OVERALL ECONOMIC GROWTH CAME TO AN ABRUPT HALT IN OCTOBER 1966 WITH THE FAILURE OF THE INTRA BANK FOLLOWED BY THE ARAB-ISRAELI WAR OF JUNE 1967 WITH ITS CON- TINUING POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS. THERE WAS SOME IMPROVEMENT IN 1968 AND 1969, BUT KEY SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY WORSENED IN 1970 WITH LITTLE PROSPECT FOR EARLY IMPROVEMENT IN THE ABSENCE OF AN OVERALL AREA PEACE SETTLEMENT. FOREIGN TRADE DEFICIT NOW RUNNING AT RATE OF OVER $500 MILLION PER ANNUM; TOURISM DECREASED 23 PERCENT FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 1970; TRANSIT TRADE WHICH WAS ON INCREASE UNTIL MID-1970 ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY CLOSURE TAPLIEN AND RECENT JORDANIAN CONFLICT; AND BUILDING CONSTRUCTION BARELY HALF OF PRE-1967 WAR LEVEL. GOL EXPENDI- TURES HAVE EXCEEDED REVENUES EACH YEAR SINCE 1962. FOR 1970 n RECORD LL 130.5 MILLION DEFICIT IS ESTIMATED DESPITE NEW FISCAL MEASURES AND A MEAGER PUBLIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM. PREVIOUS DEFICITS HAVE BEEN LARGELY COVERED BY ACCUMULATED SURPLUSES WHICH ARE NOW EXHAUSTED. TREASURY BORROWING IS LIMITED BY STRONG PUBLIC DEMANDS FOR A BALANCED BUDGET WHILE GOVT OVERDRAFTS ON THE CENTRAL BANK FACE STATUTORY LIMITATION. AS ADDITIONAL OR INCREASED TAXES ARE RULED OUT BY THE PRESENT DEPRESSED STATE OF THE ECONOMY AND A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN SHORT-TERM DEFICIT FINANCING IS NOT POSSIBLE POLITICALLY, INCREASED EXPENDITURES FOR DEVELOPMENT OR DEFENSE CAN ONLY BE FINANCED BY REDUCED GOL EXPENDITURES IN OTHER AREAS OR BY FOREIGN ASSISTANCE. IN VIEW OF THE ECONOMIC SITUATION, IT WOULD BE BOTH DIFFICULT AND UNDESIRABLE TO REDUCE GOL EXPENDITURES. THUS IF THE GOL IS TO SECURE ADDITIONAL ARMS WHICH IT AND WE CONSIDER NECESSARY FOR LEBANON'S INTERNAL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS IT WILL HAVE TO HAVE EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE. AT THE MOMENT, EXCEPT FOR THE SOVIET UNION, THERE SEEMS NO SOURCE FOR SUCH AID OTHER THAN THE USG. IN ANY EVENT, FOR REASONS ADVANCED IN BEIRUT'S 8555, WE BELIEVE USG SHOULD BE THE ONE TO PROFFER MILITARY GRANT AID TO THE GOL. BUFFUM SECRET Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. WH UNITED DEPARTMENT STATES OF OF STATE AMERICAN Department of State TELEGRAM SECRET SITUATION ROO WHITE HOUSE R 091145Z OCT 70 70 OCT 9 PM 12:50 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT CONTROL: 24060 TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2092 BT SECRET BEIRUT 8792 RECD: OCT 9 14 26Z NODIS REF: STATE 153180 SUBJECT: .30 CALIBER AMMUNITION OUR IMPRESSION MEETING DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS WITH FORMER BEIRUT DEFENSE ATTACHE JOSEPH BRUDER IN WASHINGTON MET REQUIREMENT REFTEL. IF THIS IS NOT THE CASE, PLEASE SO INFORM US AND WE WILL SUBMIT NECESSARY DATA. BUFFUM BT a RECORDS SECRET BECEINED Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. WE of STATES AMERICA INITID Department of State TELEGRAM SECRET wh 0 031430Z OCT 70 13 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2010 793Q BT 1970 OCT 3 PM 12:09 SE CRET BEIRUT 8555 NODIS SUBJECT: MILITARY ASSISTANCE FOR LEBANON REF: STATE 161364; BEIRUT 8235 1. WE MOST STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BE GRANTED TO GOL TO INCREASE CAPACITY OF ITS SMALL ARMY (THIRTEEN THOUSAND ARMY, FIVE THOUSAND GENDARMERIE) TO HANDLE JORDAN-TYPE SITUATION IN LEBANON. ARMY AT PRESENT OPERATING BY AND LARGE WITH OBSOLESCENT EQUIPMENT. IN ORDER TO AUGMENT ARMY'S CAPABILITY TO CONTROL FEDAYEEN IN SOUTH AND MOB ACTION. IN CITIES, LEBANESE ARMY - IN OUR RECENT CONVERSATIONS HAS PLACED TOP PRIORITY ON INCREASING ARMOR PROTECTING FIRE POWER AND MOBILITY OF LEBANESE SECURITY FORCES. ACCORDINGLY, WE SUGGEST FOLLOWING ILLUSTRATIVE MILITARY PACKAGE WHICH WOULD BE FINANCED BY US GRANT AID. WE SHOULD EMPHASIZE THAT ARMS PACKAGE DESIGNED PRIMARILY FOR INTERNAL SECURITY. 2. WE BELIEVE THAT BULKOF ANY ARMS PACKAGE SHOULD BE FOR PURCHASE OF ARMORED CARS AND M41 TANKS. AVAILABLE INFORMATION INDICATES UNIT PRICE STAGHOUND ARMORED CAR AROUND DOLLARS FORTY-THREE THOUSAND AND OVERHAULED M-41 TANK AROUND DOLLARS FORTY THOUSAND. ALTHOUGH FRENCH HAVE SOLD FEW ARMORED CARS TO LEBANESE, LIBYAN OFFER WHICH WAS FOR ONE HUNDRED ARMORED CARS SEEMS TO BE AT IMPASSE. CONSEQUENTLY LEBANESE REQUIREMENT COUPLED WITH LEBANESE ARMY CAPABILITY TO MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT INDICATES A MIX OF APPROXIMATELY FIFTY TANKS AND FIFTY ARMOED CARS WHICH WE ESTIMATE WOULD CONSTITUTE EIGHTY PERCENT OF ARMS PACKAGE OF DOLLARS FIVE MILLION. IN ADDITION, PACK- AGE SHOULD INCLUDE M55 QUADRUPLE FIFTY CALIBRE AA GUNS BECAUSE OF HIGH POTENTIAL IN ITS GROUND ROLE AS A DETERRENT AGAINST MOB ACTION. PACKAGE SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY MACHINE FIFTY CALIBRE GUNS AND A SUPPLY OF LAND MINES. ALTHOUGH ARMY ALSO NEEDS LIGHT INFANTRY WEAPONS, WE HAVE REPORT GOL ATTEMPT- ING OBTAIN REQUIREMENTS FROM BELGIANS. WE EUS. 5E OPTIMISTICALLY THAT IT WOULD TAKE AT LEAST TWO WEEKS FOR LEBANESE ARMY TO MAKE DETAILED AND DEFINITIVE REQUEST FOR AID, 3. EMBASSY IS ALSO INVESTIGATING POSSIBLE REQUIREMENTS FOR RIOT CONTROL EQUIPMENT WHICH WOULD BE SUBJECT LATER MESSAGE. 4. NO RPT NO DOUBT THAT GOL FACES POTENTIALLY SERIOUS TROUBLE FROM FEDAYEEN AND THAT ITS ARMY MUST BE STRENGTHENED IF IT IS TO SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2- BEIRUT 8555, OCTOBL 3 {NODIS} HANDLE OR DETER POTENTIAL JORDAN-TYPE SITUATION IN LEBANON. AS WE HAVE REPORRTED PREVIOUSLY, GOL SHARES OUR CONCERN THAT IN DUE COURSE: A) THERE MAY BE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN FEDAYEEN NUMBERS AND ACTIVITY AGAINST ISRAEL FROM LEBANESE BORDERS; AND B) THAT FEDAYEEN ADN RADICAL ELEMENTS MAY ATTEMPT INSTIGATE INTERNAL STRIFE IN LEBANON AS IN JORDAN. 5. PRESIDENT NASSER'S DEATH INCREASES GOL'S ANXIETY ABOUT HANDLING FUTURE TROUBLE. GOL, HAS OVER PAST YEARS, PLACED HEAVY RELIANCE ON UAR POLITICAL SUPPORT BOTH TO DETER FOREIGN INTERVENTION AND TO CONTROL FEDAYEEN ACTIVITY IN LEBANON. WITH NASSER'S DEATH, GOL CAN NOT RPT NOT BE CERTAIN OF UAR SUPPORT. NEUTRAL UAR POSITION VIS-A-VIS LEBANON COULD REMOVE RESTRAINT ON SYRIA AND HEIGHTEN POSSIBILITY SYRIAN INTERVENTION SHOULD TROUBLE START HERE. THIS IS CAUSE FOR GENUINE CONCERN GOL. NASSER'S DEATH MAKES GOL FEEL MORE VULNERABLE AND ALSO SOMEWHAT MORE ISOLATED. 6. GOL HANDLING OF FEDAYEEN CRISES LAST OCTOBER INDI- CATES GOL WILL DEFEND ITSELF. IN OUR JUDGMENT, THE ARMS PACKAGE RECOMMENDED ABOVE WOULD MATERIALLY INCREASE GOL'S CAPACITY TO RESIST HOSTILE FORCES LEBANON. 7. EQUALLY IMPORTANT, HOWEVER, IS PSYCHOL OGICAL IMPACT OF CONTEMPLATED AID. IN LAST ANALYSIS, LEBANON LOOKS TO US FOR ITS ULTIMATE SALVATION. PRESIDENT FRANGIE'S RECENT REQUEST FOR ASSURANCE FROM US (BEIRUT 8054) UN- DERLINES THIS POINT. MATERIAL ASSISTANCE OF TYPE CON- TEMPLATED WOULD REASSURE GOL AND STIFFEN ITS RESOLVE AND THAT OF ITS ARMY TO DEFEND LEBANON. RECENTLY ELECTED PRESIDENT FRANGIE, AS WE HAVE RE- PORTED, IS A MUCH TOUGHER INDIVIDUAL THAN WAS PRESIDENT HELOU. HE HAS HIS OWN POWER BASE AND WE BELIEVE HAS NO RPT NO INTENTION PERMIT FEDAYEEN TAKE OVER LEBANON WITH- OUT BATTLE. OUR READING HIS CHARACTER INDICATES HE WOULD ACT QUICKLY AND RESOLUTELY IN FACE ANY THREAT TO LEBANESE INDEPENDENCE. THIS ASSISTANCE WOULD GREATLY REINFORCE HIS CONFIDENCE IN US AND THEREBY HIS OWN CONFIDENCE IN HANDLING FEDAYEEN PROBLEM. 9. ONE MORE IMPORTANT POINT: THE ASSISTANCE WOULD IN- CREASE GOL'S CAPABILITY TO PROTECT THE FIVE THOUSAND PLUS AMERICANS NOW RESIDING IN LEBANON. WORTHY OF NOTE IS FACT GOL HAS ARMED EMBASSY GUARDS WITH M16 RIFLES WHICH GOL PURCHASED THEMSELVES. INCREASED NUMBER OF ARMORED CARS WOULD GIVE ADDED ASSURANCE SAFETY AMERICAN CITIZENS AND THE EMBASSY. AT PRESENT, GOL IS SO SHORT OF SUCH VEHICLES THAT DURING RECENT TROUBLE IN JORDAN, LEBANESE SECURITY FORCES HAD TO REMOVE ONE OF ARMORED CARS STATIONED OUR EMBASSY TO PROTECT JORDAN EMBASSY. SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECREL -3- BEIRUT 8555, OCTOBE. 3 {NODIS} 10. AS DEPARTMENT IS WELL AWARE, GOL CASH POSITION HAS SERIOUSLY DETERIORATED AND LEBANON'S ECONOMIC PROSPECTS IN ABSENCE AREA PEACE ARE SOMBER. PRESIDENT FRANGIE TOLD AMBASSADOR PORTER EARLY SEPTEMBER GOL WAS OPERATING WITHOUT ANY RESERVES. IN OUR JUDGMENT, GOL CANNOT RPT CANNOT AFFORD PAY FOR PACKAGE OUT OF ITS OWN RESOURCES. 11. THIS PACKAGE GIVES FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT USG IS NOT ONLY INTERESTED IN SECURITY OF ISRAEL BUT IN THE SECURITY OF ITS ARAB FRIENDS AS WELL. WOULD: 12. IN SUM, ILLUSTRATIVE PROGRAM WE HAVE DESCRIBED ABOVE ACTIVITY; A) INCREASE GOL'S CAPABILITY TO RESIST HOSTILE FEDAYEEN B) WOULD STIFFEN GOL'S RESOLVE TO DO SO; AND C) WOULD INCREASE ITS CAPABILITY (IT HAS ALREADY SHOWN WILLINGNESS) TO PROTECT THE LIVES OF THE FIVE THOUSAND PLUS AMERICAN CITIZENS NOW LIVING IN LEBANON. BT BUFFUM SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE WH 9 Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET OL. CONTROL: 7237Q SEP 28, 1970 R 281801Z SEP 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1928 RECD: TION ROOM HITE HOUSE 4:28 P.M. BT SECRET BEIRUT 8341 PM 8:54 NODIS REF: BEIRUT 8246 DEPT PASS TO ROME FOR SECRETARY ROGERS 1. PRESIDENTIAL CONFIDANT CALLED ME 6:30 MONDAY EVENING SEPT 28. HE HAD CONVEYED DEPT'S REPLY (STATE 158523) TO PRESIDENT FRANGIE ON LATTER'S RETURN FROM CAIRO THIS MORNING. FRANGIE WAS DEEPLY APPRECIATIVE. HE FULLY UNDERSTOOD THAT USG WAS NOT IN POSITION GIVE SPECIFIC UNDERTAKING IN HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION BUT WAS GRATEFUL AND REASSURED BY DEPT'S MESSAGE WHICH HE CONSIDERED STRONGER THAN THOSE SENT PRES HELOU. 2. IN CAIRO HE ALSO HAD HAD SATISFACTORY TALKS WITH PRES NASSER WHOM HE MET WITH ALONG TWICE. PRES NASSER HAD CONVEYED IMPRESSION TO FRANGIE ON TWO. .OCCASIONS THAT FRANGIE COULD COUNT ON HIS SUPPORT AND PARTICULARLY SO IN ANY STRUGGLE WITH THE FEDAYEEN. NASSER HAD MDE IT ABUDANTLY CLEAR, HOWEVER, THAT HIS SUPPORT WOULD BE MORAL AND THAT HE HAD NO INTENTION OF USING EGYPTIAN COLDIERS ANY PLACE BUT ON EGYPTIAN SOIL. CONFIDANT MADE POINT THAT NASSER'S ASSURANCES TO FRANGIE WERE UNSOLICITED. 3. FRANGIE HAS INVITED NASSER TO VISIT LEBANON AND HOPES HE WILL DO SO IN THE NEXT TWO/THREE MONTHS. HOUGHTON PT N.TE: NOT PASSED ROME BY OC/T. SECRE Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT SENT OF STATE 10 WH * Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET 7436Q 1970 AUG 31 PM 2:26 P 311551Z AUG 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1484 BT SECRET BEIRUT 7246 NODIS FOR ASST SECY SISCO REF: BEIRUT 7245 1. REFTEL SETS FORTH CHARLES MALIK'S REENTRY INTO LEBANESE POLITICAL PICTURE AS ONE OF MANY ADVISERS WHO AT MOMENT HAVE PRES-ELECT FRANGIE'S EAR. WHILE I DO NOT WISH TO OFFEND AN OLD FRIEND, I DO FEEL WE MUST BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT USING HIM AS CHANNEL TO FRANGIE. I WOULD MUCH PREFER ASSUME DIRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH PRES-ELECT AND I AM ALREADY DOING so. THE TRUTH IS THAT MALIK ALSO WISHES RESUME POLITICAL ACTIVITY, PERHAPS AS FRANGIE'S ROVING AMB OR AS LEBANESE REP AT UN. HIS CURRENT ENDEAVOURS ON BEHALF FRANGIE MUST ALSO BE VIEWED IN LIGHT OF HIS OWN AMBITIONS. I HAVE SOME DOUBTS THAT FRANGIE WILL GIVE HIM AN IMPORTANT POST, BUT THIS REMAINS TO BE SEEN. 2. MALIK ASKED ME SPECIFICALLY TO REMIND PRESIDENT NIXON OF CONVERSATION HE HAD WITH PRESIDENT SOME FOUR MONTHS AGO. YOU REMEMBER THAT ONE OF MALIK'S RECOMMENDATIONS WAS TO PROVIDE ARMS FOR CERTAIN PRIVATE GROUPS IN LEBANON. HE RENEWED THAT RECOMMENDATION TO ME TODAY CAUG 31). 1 DID NOT COMMENT, NOR REVEAL IN ANY WAY MY OWN VIEWS. AS YOU KNOW, THERE ARE NO SECRETS IN LEBANON. PORTER NOTE: PASSED WHITE HOUSE BY OC/T SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF sente Department of State 12 WH OF STATES COUNT AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET CONTROL: 75 1 10 # RECD: Jul 30, 4 44PM'70 R 301656Z JUL 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1187 BT SECRET BEIRUT 6283 70 JUL 30 PM 9:29 ROOM STUDATION WHITE HOUSE NOD IS DEPARTMENT PASS CAIRO AND USUN SUBJECT: MIDDLE EAST PEACE INITIATIVE REF: BEIRUT 6282 1. EMBASSY OFFICER MET WITH PRESIDENTIAL CONFIDANT TODAY JULY 30 TO GET RUNDOWN ON LAST NIGHT'S MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT HELOU, PRIMIN KARAME, HASS SABRI KHOLI, AND UAR AMBASSADOR SABRI. 2. ACCORDING CONFIDANT, HELOU RECEIVED STRONG IMPRESSION THAT UAR SERIOUS IN ACCEPTING US INITIATIVE AND DETERMINED FOLLOW THROUGH. 3. KHOLI HAD SAID THAT FROM HIS CONTACTS IN DAMASCUS HE CONVINCED SYRIAN OPPOSITION TO UAR ACCEPTANCE OF US PEACE INITIATIVE WILL NOT BE TOO VOCIFEROUS AND THAT ULTIMATELY SYRIANS WILL GO ALONG WITH WHATEVER EGYPT ACCEPTS. KHOLI ASCRIBED PRESENT SYRIAN HARD LINE TO TWO FACTORS. FIRST IS SYRIAN BAATHI REGIME'S COMPETITION WITH IRAQI BAATH. SECOND IS INTERNAL SYRIAN BAATH FOLITICS. SOME WITHIN PARTY ARE ACCUSING ATASI ON HAVE BEEN TOLD OF ROGERS' PROPOSAL BY NASSER DURING LIBYAN SUMMIT AND THEREFORE OF BEING IN ON NASSER'S INTENTIONS FROM THE BEGINNING. TO DISPROVE THIS, AND AVOID CHARGE OF DEVIATION WITHOUT PARTY CONCURRENCE, ATASI IS, AT LEAST FOR PRESENT, ENCOURAGING THE HARD LINE. 4. ACCORDING CONFIDANT, KHOLI TOLD HELOU THAT HE UN- CONCERNED ABOUT NEGATIVE IRAQI REACTION AS HE CONVINCED IRAQIS WILL BE UNABLE EXERT SERIOUS INFLUENCE ON EVENTS. SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2- 6283 FROM BEIRUT, JUL 30, 1970 (NODIS) 5. CONFIDANT SAID THAT BOTH SABRI AND KHOLI HAD EXPRESSED GREAT RESPECT FOR AMBASSADOR PORTER AND CONFIDENCE IN HIM AS SOMEONE WHO BOTH UNDERSTAND'S AREA'S PROBLEMS AND WHO HAS INFLUENCE IN WASHINGTON. HELOU CHIMED IN TO SAY AMBASSADOR PORTER TRUE FRIEND OF LEBANON AND OF THE ARABS. KHOLI AND SABRI EXPRESSED SATISFACTION AT CLOSE AND FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP WHICH HAS EXISTED BETWEEN HELOU AND PORTER AND SAID UAR DESIRES THAT THIS RELATIONSHIP CONTINUE UNDER NEXT PRESIDENT. ACCORDING CONFIDANT, THEY TOLD HELOU LEBANON ONLY REMAINING COUNTRY IN MIDDLE EAST WHERE THERE IS A US AMBASSADOR WHO IS BOTH KNOWLEDGEABLE AND WHO HAS INFLUENCE IN WASHINGTON, AND CONTINUATION OF CLOSE RELATIONSHIP IS THEREFORE REGARDED AS BENE- FICIAL TO EGYPT. PORTER BT NOT PASSED CAIRO AND USUN BY OC/T PASSED WHITE HOUSE BY OC/T SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE 2 WH Department of State UNITED STATES or TELEGRAM SECRET R 301656Z JUL 70 1 CONTROL: 7503Q FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT RECD: Jul 30, 4 21PM'70 TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1186 BT SECRET BEIRUT 6282 NODIS DEPARTMENT PASS CAIRO, AMMAN, TEL AVIV AND USUN SUBJECT: US PEACE INITIATIVE '70 JUL 30 PM 9:29 SITUATION ROOM SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE REF: STATE 121161 1. DURING MY CALL ON PRESIDENT HELOU JULY 29, HE SAID HE WAS PLEASED BY UAR ACCEPTANCE OF US PEACE INITIATIVE THOUGH HE REMAINS SOMEWHAT SKEPTICAL OF CHANCES FOR SUCCESS. NONETHELESS, HE SAID, HE IS BEING PUBLICLY OPTIMISTIC BECAUSE THIS MIGHT HELP THE PROCESS GET STARTED. 2. HELOU SAID HIS GREATEST CONCERN AT PRESENT CONCERNING PEACE INITIATIVE IS THAT PALESTINIANS WILL STEP UP GUERRILLA ATTACKS FROM SYRIA, JORDAN AND LEBANON AND THAT ISRAELIS WILL BUILD THIS UP IN THE INFORMATION MEDIA AS A SIGN OF ARAB BAD FAITH AND AS JUSTIFICATION FOR NOT ACCEPTING US PROPOSALS, OR ENGAGING IN SERIOUS NEGOTIATIONS. AN EVEN MORE DANGEROUS POSSIBILITY IS THAT EVEN IF TALKS DO GET STARTED ISRAELIS WILL USE INCREASED GUERRILLA ACTIVITY AS PRETEXT FOR A MASSIVE ATTACK AGAINST SYRIA OR JORDAN OR POSSIBLY, THOUGH LESS LIKELY AGAINST LEBANON. SUCH A MASSIVE ATTACK MIGHT MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ARABS TO CONTINUE NEGOTIATING. WITH A VIEW TO FORECLOSING THIS POSSIBILITY, HELOU SAID HE HAD SUGGESTED TO THE SOVIET AMBASSADOR IN A RECENT MEETING THAT THE SOVIET PRESS HINT AT FEDAYEEN-ISRAELI COLLUSION AIMED AT STOPPING THE PEACE INITIATIVES. SUCH STORIES MIGHT THEN BE PICKED UP IN ARAB AND PERHAPS WORLD PRESS AND MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR NEGOTIATIONS TO BE SABOTAGED. I SAID I HAD NO INDICATION WASHINGTON WAS AT PRESENT CONCERNED WITH IMMINENT ISRAELI MILITARY MOVE. 3. HELOU SAID THAT UAR AMBASSADOR SABRI HAD CALLED ON HIM TWO DAYS PREVIOUSLY FOR AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND TO GET HIS OPINION ON THREE POINTS: A) WHAT WILL BE REPER- CUSSION OF UAR ACCEPTANCE OF THE PEACE INITIATIVE IN THE ARAB WORLD? B) WHAT ARE THE CHANCES FOR SUCCESS? AND C ) IS THE US INITIATIVE SINCERE OR MERELY A MANEUVER? HELOU DID NOT SAY HOW HE MAD REPLIED TO THE FIRST QUESTION. AS FOR THE SECOND, HE HAD Reproduced SECRET at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2- 6282 FROM BEIRUT, JUL 30, 1970 (NODIS) TRIED TO BE OPTIMISTIC. IN REPLYING TO THE THIRD, HELOU SAID HE HAD ASKED SABRI WHAT HE MEANT BY A MANEUVER. HE SAID THAT HE HAD TOLD SABRI THAT IN ANY CASE THE US INITIATIVE WAS AN IMPORTANT AND SERIOUSLY MADE STEP. IF IT SUCCEEDED IN BRINGING PEACE TO THE REGION, IT WOULD GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS A BOLD AND SINCERE INITIATIVE; IF IT FAILED, IT WOULD BE CALLED AN IN- SINCERE MANEUVER. THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHANCE TO MOVE TOWARDS PEACE. HELOU SAID THAT SABRI HAD THEN ASKED HIM TO PASS ON ANY INDICATIONS HE MIGHT GET FROM ME CONCERNING US INTENTIONS, PARTICULARLY RELATING TO SINCERITY OF US INITIATIVE. 40 HELOU SAID HE WAS DINING THAT SAME EVENING WITH AMBASSADOR SABRI AND NASSER'S PERSONAL ENVOY, HASSAN SABRI KHOLI, AND ASKED WHAT "INDICATIONS" HE SHOULD PASS ON TO THEM (WITHOUT DIVULGING THAT WE HAD DISCUSSED THE MATTER IN THESE TERMS). I REPLIED THAT IN THE FIRST INSTANCE HE COULD PASS ON THE ASSURANCES I HAD MADE TO HIM THAT US INITIATIVE IS NOT A PLOY BUT A SERIOUS AND SINCERE ATTEMPT TO ARRIVE AT A PEACEFUL SOLUTION. THEN, USING THE GUIDANCE IN STATE 121161, I TOLD HELOU THAT WHILE WE DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE DIFFICULTIES, WE INTEND DO ALL WE CAN OVERCOME OBSTACLES TO PEACE. I SAID IT VITALLY IMPORTANT NOT ONLY PERSUADE EGYPTIANS OF US GOOD INTENTIONS BUT ALSO CONVINCE THEM PATH OF NEGOTIATIONS HOLDS REAL PROMISE OF PEACE. ONCE CONVINCED OF THIS, THE EGYPTIANS WILL BE MORE WILLING NEGOTIATE SERIOUSLY AND CONSIDER THE HARD COMPROMISES WHICH WILL BE NECESSARY. I REPEATED THAT BOTH SIDES MUST BE PREPARED FOR REALISTIC COMPROMISE. 5. HELOU SAID HE INTENDED PASS ON TO KHOLI AND SABRI THE SUBSTANCE OF WHAT I HAD TOLD HIM BY SAYING THAT HE HAD BEEN SOMEWHAT PESSIMISTIC AT THE TIME OF OUR MEETING BUT THAT I HAD RESTORED HIS CONFIDENCE WITH MY ARGUMENTS. G HELOU SAID THAT WHILE HE DID NOT FEEL THAT LEBANON, AS NON-BELLIGERENT, WAS UNDER ANY OBLIGATION TO COME OUT PUBLICLY IN SUPPORT EITHER OF THE US PEACE PLAN OR NASSER'S ACCEPTANCE OF IT, HE HAD NONETHELESS AUTHORIZED AMBASSADOR SABRI AT THEIR LAST MEETING TO MAKE A STATEMENT TO THE MIDDLE EAST NEWS AGENCY TO THE EFFECT THAT HE (HELOU) HAD GIVEN HIS FULL SUPPORT TO NASSER'S ACTION IN AGREEING TO THE US PROPOSAL. HE SAID HE FELT THE POSSIBILITY OF STIFFENING EGYPTIAN DETERMINATION TO GO AHEAD WITH NEGOTIATIONS WAS WORTH THE RISK OF TROUBLES BY PALESTINIAN ELEMENTS IN LEBANON. HE REITEREATED THAT MOSLEM LEBANESE STILL LOOKED TO NASSER FOR GUIDANCE AND LEADERSHIP. THIS WOULD LESSEN PALESTINIAN CAPACITY TO STIR UP CONFESSIONAL STRIFE AND TO DIVIDE LEBANESE PEOPLE. NASSER RESPONSE TO US INITIATIVE WAS "PERFECTLY TIMED" FROM POINT OF VIEW LEBANESE INTERNAL SECURITY. PORTER BT NOT PASSED CAIRO, AMMAN, TEL AVIV AND USUN BY OC/T PASSED WHITE HOUSE BY OC/T SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. when OF STATE 10 Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM W 10 *70 JUL 8 PM 6 06 SECRET R 081631Z JUL 70 1882Q FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 1970 JUL 08 PM 2 TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1020 BT SECRET BEIRUT 5649 NATIONAL COUNCIL SECURITY JUL 8 6 o3 PM '70 '70 RECEIVED NODIS DEPT PASS OTHER POSTS AS APPROPRIATE SUBJECT: PRESIDENT HELOU ON PEACE INITIATIVE, PRESIDENT'S TV INTERVIEW 1. AT BEGINNING OUR MEETING JULY 7, PRESIDENT HELOU SAID HE HAD ASKED ME COME THAT DAY BECAUSE HE EXPECTED HAVE IN HAND PRIOR TO THE MEETING A) SOME FIRM INDICATION OF THE RESULTS OF NASSER'S CONSULTATIONS WITH SOVIET LEADERS AND B) A REPORT ON A SCHEDULED MEETING BETWEEN NASSER AND ARAB AMBASSADORS IN MOSCOW. HE REGRETTED HE HAD RECEIVED NEITHER AND ON SUBJECT OF US INITIATIVE HE ONLY ABLE PASS ON WHAT HE HAD TOLD EGYPTIAN AMBASSADOR SABRI IN THEIR LAST MEETING. HELOU SAID THAT HE HAD TOLD SABRI THAT I HAD REQUESTED HIM (HELOU) TO BE LESS PESSIMISTIC ABOUT US PEACE INITIATIVE AND THAT I CONSIDERED IT REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR BREAKTHROUGH TO PEACE. HELOU SAID THAT HE HAD ASKED SABRI TO PASS ON TO NASSER MY HOPE THAT THE UAR WOULD RESPOND FAVORABLY TO THE US PEACE INITIATIVE BECAUSE THE US AND EGYPTIAN POSITIONS ON SUBSTANCE ARE IN FACT VERY CLOSE, WHAT IS LACKING IS CONFIDENCE AND NOV IS THE TIME FOR EGYPT TO PUT US SINCERITY TO THE TEST. HELOU SAID THAT HE WOULD LET ME KNOW AS SOON AS HE HAD ANY INFORMATION FROM MOSCOW WHICH WOULD REFLECT ON NASSER'S THINKING. 2. COMMENT: AS I SUSPECTED, AND, IN SPITE OF MY URGING, PRESIDENT HELOU DOES NOT NOW SEEM WILLING TO ENGAGE HIMSELF BEYOND SERVING AS A CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION.: WHETHER HE WILL BE WILLING DO MORE LATER DEPENDS, I THINK, ON WHAT COMES OUT OF NASSER'S MOSCOW TALKS. END COMMENT. 3. PRESIDENT NIXON'S TV INTERVIEW. HELOU SAID THAT THE PRESIDENT'S TV INTERVIEW HAD BEEN VERY NEGATIVELY RECEIVED IN THE ARAB WORLD, PARTICULARLY AS HIS REMARKS WERE CONSIDERED AT VARIANCE WITH WHAT SECRETARY ROGERS SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2- BEIRUT 5649, JULY 8, NODIS HAD SAID AT HIS PRESS CONFERENCE AND SEEMED TO CAST DOUBT ON THE SINCERITY OF THE US PEACE INITIATIVE. HELOU SAID THAT AFTER HE HAD REFLECTED ON THE PRESIDENT S REMARKS FOR SOME TIME HE HAD COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THEY COULD HAVE SOME FORTUITOUS BENEFIT. THE US PEACE INITIATIVE HAD BEEN RECEIVED IN THE ARAB WORLD WITH SKEPTICISM, RESERVE, AND EVEN A DEGREE OF REFUSAL. HELOU SAID THAT SINCE HE THOUGHT THE CHANCES FOR ARAB ACCEPTANCE OF THE US INITIATIVE HAD LOOKED SLIM IN ANY CASE, PERHAPS THE "THREATENING AND DESPAIRING" TONE OF THE PRESIDENT'S INTERVIEW MIGHT BE USEFUL IN SHOCKING THE ARABS INTO TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE INITIATIVE. BUT, HELOU ADDED, THE TROUBLE WITH THREATS IS THAT THEY CAN BE MADE ONLY ONCE, OR AT THE MOST TWICE. IF NOT THEN FOLLOWED UP WITH ACTION, THE ADVERSARY IS GRATUITOUSLY MADE TO LOOK HEROIC WHILE THE ONE MAKING THE THREAT LOSES CREDIBILITY. PORTER SECRET, Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. Ed WH 9 Op ST STATE Department of State CENTER STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET CONTROL: 1579Q R 071546Z JUL 70 JULY 7, 1970 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 1:27 PM TO RUEHCR/ AMERICASSY AMMAN 4122 INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1008 BT SECRET BEIRUT 5606 NODIS COUNCIL FOR CHARGE NATIONAL SECURITY HE OL. Hd DE 11 11011 / mr RECEIVED 1. DUTCH AMB IS ATTEMPTING GET APPOINTMENTS AMMAN LATE THIS WEEK WITH PRIMIN AND FNMIN. ER INSTRUCTIONS TO LEND SUPPORT US PEACE INITIATIVE. 2. HE PLANS TELEPHINE YOU AND HOPES TO SEE YOU PRIOR HIS APPOINTMENTS. PORTER BT '70 JUL 7 PM 11: 38 WOOH WOOHNOILVOLIS SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE 6 Department of State OF STATES UNITED AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET, P 0615142 JUL 70 12630 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0993 BT 1970 JULY 6 PM 2 38 S E C R E T BEIRUT 5562 NODIS REF: BEIRUT 5168 FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY SISCO - NEA '70 JUL 6 PM II: 01 1. AT CONCLUSION OF OUR JUNE 29 MEETING, PRES. HELOU SAID SOMEWHAT EMBARRASSEDLY THAT HE WISHED BROACH WITH ME DIRECTLY SUBJECT OF EXTREME SENSITIVITY. HE SAID HE HAD RECENTLY SEEN FORMER PRES. CHAMOUN AND DEPUTY MUGHABGHAB WHO MADE URGENT APPEAL FOR ARMS FOR THEIR PARTISANS. HELOU SAID HE REPLIED HE COULD NOT HELP THEM AS HE JUST WAS UNABLE ARRANGE TO GIVE THEM ARMS. IT WAS POLITICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR LEBANESE ARMY TO GET INVOLVED IN ARMING CHRISTIANS WITHOUT CAUSING BITTER LEBANESE MOSLEM AND PALESTINIAN REACTIONS. CHAMOUN THEN SUGGESTED HE USE HIS INFLUENCE WITH THE AMERICANS. HELOU SAID HE HAD BEEN NON-COMMITTAL BUT AGREED TO THINK ABOUT IT. 2. APOLOGIZING FOR THE APPARENT INAPPROPRIATENESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF A COUNTRY DISCUSSING SUCH A SUBJECT WITH A FOREIGN AMBASSADOR, HELOU SAID, AFTER LONG DELIBERATION, HE HAD DECIDED ASK ME DO WHAT I COULD TO ARM THE CHRISTIANS. HE AHD ARRIVED AI THIS DECISION ABOVE ALL ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS. HE COULD NOT WITH CLEAR CONSCIENCE LEAVE CHRISTIANS TO GO TO BED EACH NIGHT IN FEAR OF BEING ANNIHILATED BY BETTER-ARMED PALESTINIANS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS. HE DOUBIED WHETHER THE ARMS WOULD EVER HAVE TO BE USED, BUT FELT CHRISTIANS HAD THE RIGHT AT. THE VERY LEAST TO GO DOWN FIGHTING WITH CUNS IN THEIR HANDS. 3. HELOU SAID HE WAS MAKING THE APPEAL ON HUMAN GROUNDS, BUT THAT RATIONAL ARGUMENTS COULD BE FOUND TO SUPPORT IT. ONE OF MOST IMPORTANT ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR IS THAT IF CHRISTIANS BEGIN TOO STRONGLY TO FEAR BEING OVERWHELMED, THEY MIGHT GIVE UP EFFORT TO MAINTAIN AN ECONOMICALLY LIBERAL, DEMOCRATIC AND WESTERN-ORIENTED LEBANON. A NEGATIVE ARGUMENT, HE CONCEDED, IS THAT AFTER HAVING BEEN ARMED, CHRISTIANS MIGHT MIS- CALCULATE AND ATTEMPT TO USE THEM IN A CRISIS. RATHERE EMOTIONALLY, HELU SAID THIS IS RISK WHICH HE, AS HUMAN-BEING, FEELS MUST BE TAKEN. THE CHRISTIANS WOULD HAVE TO RESPOND TO A CRISIS IN ANY CASE, OR BE OVERWHELMED. THEIR STRENGTH, ON OTHER HAND, WAS STRONG DETERRENCE TO PALESTINIANS TAKING MATTERS IN THEIR OWN HANDS. Reproduced SECRET at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET BEIRUT 5562 NODIS 4. AS TO MODALITIES OF DELIVERING ARMS, HELOU SAID HE WOULD LEAVE IT TO US. HE SUGGESTED POSSIBILITY OF CACHEING ARMS NEARBY (POSSIBLY IN CYPRUS), TO BE GIVEN OUT WHEN NEEDED, OR ELSE GIVING CHRISTIANS MONEY TO PURCHASE ARMS. HE SAID IF THEY HAD ADEQUATE FUNDS, CHRISTIANS WOULD SOMEHOW FIND MEANS OF PURCHASING ARMS. HE NOTED THAT, APPEARANCES TO CONTRARY, THERE JUST WAS NOT ENOUGH CASH LIQUIDITY IN THE ESSENTIALLY LANDED CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY TO PAY FOR SUFFICIENT ARMS, WHICH VERY EXPENSIVE AND HARD TO COME BY IN BLACK MARKET. 5. IN PARTING BID FOR US ARMS SUPPORT FOR CHRISTIANS, HELOU SAID IT COULD VERY WELL BE A MOVE WHICH WO.ULD SAVE US FROM HAVING TO INTERVENE MILITARILY TO RESCUE ITS CITIZENS -- AN INTERVENTION WHICH WOULD HAVE FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES FOR US. 6. I SAID I COULD ASSURE THAT HIS RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD RE- CEIVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION, BUT WHATEVER USG DID WOULD BE DONE IN COMPLETE SECRECY. I WOULD NOT EVEN INFORM HIM OF NATURE OF OUR RESPONSE, AND USG WANTED RECEIVE NO CREDIT FROM LEBANESE CHRISTIAN LEADERS. 7. HELOU'S STRONG VIEWS ON THIS QUESTION REAFFIRM MY NEWLY REVISED JUDGMENT. I BELIEVE MATTER DESERVES URGENT ATTENTION IN WASHINGTON, AND RECOMMEND DECISION IN PRINCIPLE BE MADE SOON AS POSSIBLE so NECESSARY OPERATIONAL PLANNING CAN TAKE PLACE QUICKLY. THE BEST WAY TO MAINTAIN THE PRESENT UNEASY STALEMATE IN LEBANON IS TO ASSURE THAT OUR FRIENDS ARE STRONG - NOT THE LEAST BECAUSE THIS MAY TURN OUT TO BE THE BEST PROTECTION FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE AMERICAN PRESENCE HERE. 8. ALL OF THE OLD ARGUMENTS (WHICH I HAVE SUPPORTED FOR FIVE YEARS) AGAINST USG ASSISTANCE IN ARMING PRIVATE LEBANESE GROUPS ARE, IN MY OPINION, BEING RAPIDLY OVERTAKEN BY EVENTS. PORTER SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET NODIS RECEIVED WHCA VV EHA600 00 RUEHEX 1970 JUL 6 15 42Z DE RUEHCR 1212Q 1871535 ZNY SSSSS ZZH 0 061528Z JUL 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO WHITE HOUSE 0 061433Z JUL 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0992 BT SECRET BEIRUT 5559 NODIS REF: BEIRUT 5517 1. I HAVE NOT SEEN HELOU SINCE PRES. NIXON'S TV COMMENTS ON ME. I NOW HAVE APPOINTMENT TOMORROW AFTERNOON (JULY 7). 2. OF COURSE I INTEND FOLLOW PAST GUIDANCE IN ALL PARTI- CULARS AND ESPECIALLY ON US POSITION VIS-A-VIS ISRAELI WITH- DRAWAL AND FINAL BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS. HELOU WILL SURELY WANT TO REFLECT ON IMPORT PRESIDENT'S REMARKS. IN VIEW OUR REQUEST THAT HELOU LEND HIS PERSONAL SUPPORT TO US PEACE INITIATIVE, WOULD APPRECIATE ANY SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDANCE DEPT. MAY WISH TRANS- MIT. PORTER BT NNNN SECRET NODIS Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. Smit SECRET NODIS Sanc SEND VV EHA454 1970 JUL 2 21 37Z PP RUEHEX DE RUEHOR 06900 1832135 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 022114Z JUL 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO WHITE HOUSE PRIORITY P 021803Z JUL 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 981 BT S E C R E T BEIRUT 5518 NODIS 1) PRESIDENTIAL CONFIDANT TOLD ME TODAY (JULY 2) HE TALKED YESTERDAY WITH SOV AMB AZIMOV. AZIMOV'S CURRENT LINE IS AS FOLLOWS: (A) NEGOTIATING PROBLEM BETWEEN US AND sovs AT MOMENT IS QUESTION OF INTERPRETATION OF WITHDRAWAL ASPECTS OF RESOLUTION 242. HE MADE STRONG PRESENTATION OF SOV INSISTENCE ON TOTAL WITHDRAWAL, INCLUDING FROM JERUSALEM, AND SAID SOVS COMMITTED TO THEIR POSITION. (B) FRENCH HAVE IDENTITY OF VIEWS WITH SOVS AND BRITISH ARE MOVING MUCH CLOSER. HE STRONGLY IMPLIED THAT RESULTING "ISOLATION" OF US IN BIG FOUR TALKS WOULD BE BEST WAY OF MAKING PROGRESS TOWARDS PEACE. 2) CONFIDANT WAS INTRIGUED BY TODAY' S BEIRUT PRESS RE- PLAY OF ISRAELI PRESS COMMENT ON NEW SOV PEACE PROPOSALS. AZIMOV HAS NOT, HOWEVER, PROVIDED GOL WITH ANY INFO ALONG THESE LINES. PORTER BT NNNN SECRET NODIS Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SAU NOONS SECRET NODIS RECEIVED WHCA VV EHA359 1970 JUN 30 18 13Z RR RUEHEX DE RUEHCR 8437Q 1811805 ZNY SSSSS ZZH R 301750Z JUN 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO THE WHITE HOUSE R 301543Z JUN 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 959 BT SECRET BEIRUT 5440 NODIS DEPT PASS OTHER ADDRESEES AS APPROPRIATE REF: STATE 101599 AND BEIRUT 5439 1. IN COURSE OUR JUNE 29 DISCUSSIONS US PEACE INITIATIVE, I ASKED PRES. HELOU DO WHETEVER HE COULD ELICIT FAVORABLE UAR AND JORDANIAN REACTIONS. PRESIDENT HELOU EXPRESSED WILLINGNESS DO WHAT HE COULD BUT HE DID NOT THINK THAT WOULD BE VERY MUCH SINCE NASSER'S RESPONSE WOULD BE GOVERNED BY CONSIDERATIONS OUT OF HELOU CONTROL (REFTEL). HE SAID THAT HE WOULD BE WILLING SEND SUHAMMAD SABRA, CHIEF FOREIGN AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE OF FOREIGN MINISTRY, TO CAIRO TO PASS ON MY ASSURANCES TO HELOU THAT A) DETAILS OF US AND EGYPTIAN POSITIONS ON WITHDRAWAL ACTUALLY VERY CLOSE AND B) US SINCERE IN PRESENT INITIATIVE AND DESIRES OVERCOME LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN UAR- US RELATIONS. 2. COMMENT: IT WAS OBVIOUS FROM OUR DISCUSSION THAT HELOU ANXIOUS FOR SUCCESS US INITIATIVE AND HE WILLING DO WHAT HE CAN REASSURE NASSER CONCERNING US INTENTIONS. HIS ATTITUDE ABOUT WHAT LEBANON MIGHT DO, HOWEVER, REFLECTED HIS PESSIMISM OVER ITS CHANCES FOR SUCCESS. HE WILL PASS ON ANY MESSAGE WE CARE TO SEND, BUT CLEARLY DOES NOT FEEL THAT HIS PERSONAL INFLUENCE WILL PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT RESULTS. I WILL KEEP UP THE PRESSURE ON HIM, ALTHOUGH I DOUBT THAT HE WILL DO MUCH UNLESS NASSER' S MOSCOW TALKS GIVE HIM ENCOURAGEMENT TO DO SO. PORTER BT NNNN NODIS SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. NODIS SECRET RECEIVED WHCA VV EHA360 1970 JUN 30 18 54Z RR RUEHEX DE RUEHCR 84340 1811620 ZNY SSSSS ZZH R 301757Z JUN 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO THE WHITE HOUSE R 301541Z JUN 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUI TO SECSTATE WASHDC 958 BT SECRET BEIRUT 5439 NODIS SUB,1: PRESIDENT HELOU ON US PEACE INITIATIVE REF: BEIRUT 5167 AND 5308 1. MUCH OF JUNE 29 DISCUSSIONS US PEACE INITIATIVES WITH PRESIDENT HELOU WAS ELABORATION OF HIS VIEWS AS PASSED TO US BY CONFIDANT AND REPORTED REFTELS. AT LIBYAN SUMMIT THERE HAD BEEN NO GENERAL DETAILED DISCUSSION US PEACE INITIATIVES. HELOU BELIEVES THIS WAS BECAUSE NASSER AND HUSSEIN DID NOT WANT GIVE OPPORTUNITY TO OTHERS, PARTICULARLY SYRIANS AND IRAQIS, TO STAKE OUT THEIR PRE- DICTABLY NEGATIVE POSITIONS AND THUS LIMIT FREEDOM ACTION EGYPT AND JORDAN. 2. MOST OF DISCUSSION US INITIATIVE AT WHICH HELOU HAD BEEN PRESENT FOCUSSED ON QUESTION DELIVERIES AIRCRAFT TO ISRAEL. IN TWO CONVERSATIONS WITH NASSER, ONE PRIVATE AND ONE AT WHICH SYRIAN PRESIDENT ATASI, TUNISIAN PRIMIN LADGHAM, AND TWO LIBYAN RCC MEMBERS PRESENT, NASSER SAID THAT HE BELIEVED US HAD AGREED TO REPLACE ISRAELI AIRCRAFT LOSSES. HELOU SAID NASSER FOUND SOME SOLACE IN THIS AS AN INDICATION EGYPTIANS KNOCKING DOWN MORE AIRCRAFT THAN ISRAELIS ADMITTING. BUT, HELOU SAID, NASSER DISTURBED BY OPEN-ENDED NATURE THIS PRESUMED US COMMITMENT TO REPLACE ANY NUMBER OF ISRAELI AIRCRAFT REGARDLESS OF HOW AND WHERE LOST. GIVING HIS SUBJECTIVE IMPRESSION NASSER'S REACTION AT LIBYAN CONFERENCE TO US INITIATIVES, HELOU SAID IT HAD BEEN INITIALLY SOMEWHAT FAVORABLE BUT FOLLOWED BY VERY DEEP RESERVATIONS. HELOU ADDED THAT THESE RESERVATIONS DID NOT CONSTITUTE REJECTION. 3. HELOU SAID THAT SYRIAN PRESIDENT ATASI HAD TOLD HIM AT LUNCH JUNE 26 (DURING UNSCHEDULED BEIRUT STOPOVER CAUSED BY CLOSING SYRIAN AIRSPACE) THAT THERE NOTHING NEW IN US PROPOSALS AND THAT DELIVERY AIRCRAFT ONLY BEING DELAYED THREE MONTHS. DISTURBINGLY, HELOU SAID ALMOST SAME POSITION HAD BEEN TAKEN BY SOVIET AMBASSADOR AZIMOV WHO TOLD HIM INITIATIVE CONTAINED NOTHING NEW AND, AS FOR AIRCRAFT, "WAIT UNTIL SEPTEMBER". 4. GIVING HIS OWN VIEWS, HELOU SAID THAT WHILE HE WELCOMED US INITIATIVE, HE PESSIMISTIC THAT ANYTHING WOULD COME FROM IT. AT MOST, HE EXPECTED IT WOULD PROVIDE A TEMPORARY EASING OF TENSIONS AND RESULT IN A SOMEWHAT LESS DANGEROUS SUMMER. ULTIMATELY, THE INITIATIVE WOULD FAIL BECAUSE BOTH SIDES WOULD REJECT IT. HELOU SAID THAT WHILE HE CONVINCED OF NASSER'S DESIRE FOR PEACE, HE EQUALLY CONVINCED THAT NASSR WOULD ACCEPT THE CONTINUATION, AND EVEN THE DEEPENING, OF THE WAR RATHER THAN "THE SUICIDE WHICH WOULD BE ACCEPTANCE OF A PEACE SETTLEMENT BASED UPON LOSS OF ARAB TERRITORY". HELOU SAID HE BELIEVED NASSER SINCERE WHEN HE HAD SAID EVACUATION OF GOLAN MUST PRECEDE SINAL NASSER UNABLE ACCEPT A SOLUTION WHICH WOULD MARK HIM IN HISTORY AS THE MAN WHO HAD LED THE ARABS TO A PERMANENT LOSS OF THEIR LAND. I ASKED HELOU WHETHER NASSER WOULD FEEL AS STRONGLY ABOUT JERUSALEM. HE REPLIED THAT NASSER MIGHT BE WILLING ACCEPT A SOLUTION CALLING FOR LESS THAN TOTAL ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL FROM OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, BUT THAT THIS PRESENTS A SPECIAL PROBLEM FOR HUSSEIN, AND THAT IN THIS MATTER NASSER COULD NOT DO OTHER THAN FOLLOW HUSSEIN'S LEAD. 5. THE ISRAELIS HELOU DESCRIBED AS NO LESS NEGATIVE TOWARDS US INITIATIVE, BUT HE THOUGHT THAT, AS USUAL, THEY WOULD BE SKILLED ENOUGH PUT ONUS FOR REJECTION ON ARABS. SOMEWHAT BITTERLY HE ADDED "THE ISRAELIS HAVE A GOLDEN ADVOCATE IN THE PALESTINIANS WHO ARE BACKED UP BY THE IMBECILES WHO ARE THE ARAB LEADERS". 6. IN UNLIKELY EVENT ARAB STATES SEEMED BE MOVING TOWARD ACCEPTANCE US INITIATIVE, HELOU SAID HE THOUGHT THERE TWO DANGERS: 1) EXPLOSION OF PALESTINAINS IN JORDAN AND LEBANON WITH POSSIBILITY OF REVOLUTION IN FORMER; 2) ISRAELI MILITARY INITIATIVES TO PROVOKE ARAB STATES INTO REJECTIONS OF NEGOTIATIONS, OR EVEN RESOLUTION 242. 7. I TOLD HELOU I HOPED Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library THIS DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. 3. HELOU SAID THAT SYRIAN PRESIDENT ATASI HAD AT LUNCH JUNE 26 (DURING UNSCHEDULED BEIRUT STOPOVER CAUSED BY CLOSING SYRIAN AIRSPACE) THAT THERE NOTHING NEW IN US PROPOSALS AND THAT DELIVERY AIRCRAFT ONLY BEING DELAYED THREE MONTHS. DISTURBINGLY, HELOU SAID ALMOST SAME POSITION HAD BEEN TAKEN BY SOVIET AMBASSADOR AZIMOV WHO TOLD HIM INITIATIVE CONTAINED NOTHING NEW AND, AS FOR AIRCRAFT, "WAIT UNTIL SEPTEMBER". 4. GIVING HIS OWN VIEWS, HELOU SAID THAT WHILE HE WELCOMED US INITIATIVE, HE PESSIMISTIC THAT ANYTHING WOULD COME FROM IT. AT MOST, HE EXPECTED IT WOULD PROVIDE A TEMPORARY EASING OF TENSIONS AND RESULT IN A SOMEWHAT LESS DANGEROUS SUMMER. ULTIMATELY, THE INITIATIVE WOULD FAIL BECAUSE BOTH SIDES WOULD REJECT IT. HELOU SAID THAT WHILE HE CONVINCED OF NASSER'S DESIRE FOR PEACE, HE EQUALLY CONVINCED THAT NASSR WOULD ACCEPT THE CONTINUATION, AND EVEN THE DEFRENING, 05 THE WAR RATHER THAN "THE SUICIDE WHICH WOULD BE ACCEPTANCE OF A PEACE SETTLEMENT BASED UPON LOSS OF ARAB TERRITORY". HELOU SAID HE BELIEVED NASSER SINCERE WHEN HE HAD SAID EVACUATION OF GOLAN MUST PRECEDE SINAL NASSER UNABLE ACCEPT A SOLUTION WHICH WOULD MARK HIM IN HISTORY AS THE MAN WHO HAD LED THE ARABS TO A PERMANENT LOSS OF THEIR LAND. I ASKED HELOU WHETHER NASSER WOULD FEEL AS STRONGLY ABOUT JERUSALEM. HE REPLIED THAT NASSER MIGHT BE WILLING ACCEPT A SOLUTION CALLING FOR LESS THAN TOTAL ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL FROM OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, BUT THAT THIS PRESENTS A SPECIAL PROBLEM FOR HUSSEIN, AND THAT IN THIS MATTER NASSER COULD NOT DO OTHER THAN FOLLOW HUSSEIN'S LEAD. 5. THE ISRAELIS HELOU DESCRIBED AS NO LESS NEGATIVE TOWARDS US INITIATIVE, BUT HE THOUGHT THAT, AS USUAL, THEY WOULD BE SKILLED ENOUGH PUT ONUS FOR REJECTION ON ARABS. SOMEWHAT BITTERLY HE ADDED "THE ISRAELIS HAVE A GOLDEN ADVOCATE IN THE PALESTINIANS WHO ARE BACKED UP BY THE IMBECILES WHO ARE THE ARAB LEADERS". 6. IN UNLIKELY EVENT ARAB STATES SEEMED BE MOVING TOWARD ACCEPTANCE US INITIATIVE, HELOU SAID HE THOUGHT THERE TWO DANGERS: 1) EXPLOSION OF PALESTINAINS IN JORDAN AND LEBANON WITH POSSIBILITY OF REVOLUTION IN FORMER; 2) ISRAELI MILITARY INITIATIVES TO PROVOKE ARAB STATES INTO ECTIONS OF NEGOTIATIONS, OR EVEN RESOLUTION 242. 7. I TOLD HELOU I HOPED HE OVERLY PESSIMISTIC BECAUSE THIS VERY SERIOUS INITIATIVE UNDERTAKEN BY PRESIDENT NIXON PRECISELY BECAUSE HE AWARE DANGERS IN CONTINUATION PRESENT SITUATION -- DANGERS WHICH PRES. HELOU HIMSELF HAD OUTLINED TO ME AND WHICH HAD BEEN REPORTED TO WASHINGTON. I NOTED THAT THE CEASE-FIRE PROPOSAL (WHICH WOULD PRESUMABLY REQUIRE INTERNATIONAL OBSERVER PRESENCE) COULD CONCEIVABLY OFFER OPENING WEDGE FOR SOMETHING LIKE "HELOU PLAN," I.E., INTERPOSING UN FORCE BETWEEN COMBATANTS. HELOU SAID THAT TO BE EFFECTIVE, CEASE-FIRE WOULD HAVE TO BE "GENERALIZED" TO INCLUDE JORDANIAN, SYRIAN, AND EVEN LEBANESE CEASE-FIRE LINES AND BE BACKUP BY ARMED UN OBSERVERS IN CONSIDERABLE NUMBERS. IF THIS WERE NOT DONE AND THERE WERE ACTIVITY ON ANY FRONT, ISRAELIS WOULD CLAIM ARABS BREAKING CEASE-FIRE AND SHOWING BAD FAITH AND USE THIS AS PRETEXT UNDERTAKE WHAT ACTIONS THEY SAW FIT. 7. WHILE PRESIDENT HELOU STILL BELIEVES HIS PLAN OF INTERPOSING UN FORCE WAS, AT LEAST AT ONE TIME, THE ONLY PRACTICAL ONE, HE NO LONGER DEFENDS IT WITH SUCH VIGOR AS HE FEELS ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE AND GROWTH PALESTINIAN MOVEMENT MAY HAVE RENDERED IT PASSE. IN SOMEWHAT PHILOSOPHICAL CRITIQUE US INITIATIVE, HELOU SAID ITS BASIC FLAW IS THAT IT APPLIES LOGIC TO AN IRRATIONAL SITUATION. HE LIKENED IT TO PAINTING A NAIL ON THE WALL AND TRYING TO HANG A REAL PICTURE FROM IT. "YOU CAN PAINT TEN, A HUNDRED NAILS, BUT YOU WON' T BE ABLE HAND THE PICTURE". HELOU SAID HE FEELS TIME HAS COME WHEN, IF US WANTS ME SOLUTION, IT MUST "GO BACK TO ZERO" AND RETHINK WHOLE PROBLEM. THIS MIGHT BEST BE DONE, HE SUGGESTED, BY BRINGING IN OUTSIDERS WHO CAN EXAMINE PROBLEMS OF THE AREA FROM FRESH VIEWPOINT IT CAN BE DONE BY THOSE WHO HAVE ALL ALONG BEEN WORKING ON ME, BUT THEY WILL HAVE TO MAKE CONSCIOUS EFFORT BREAK OUT OF SET THOUGHT PATTERNS OF PAST. 8. HELOU SAID IN SPITE HIS PESSIMISM HE WOULD DO WHATEVER HE COULD HELP SUCCESS US INITIATIVE (SEPTEL). PORTER BT SECRET NODIS Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. NNNNVV BHA154 RR RUEHEX DE RUEHCR 7464Q 1772012 SECRET not sent electually HAK Foldr- ZNY SSSSS ZZH R 261800Z JUN 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC NODIS RECEIVED WHCA TO WHITE HOUSE R 261459Z JUN 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 1970 JUN 26 20 24Z TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0929 BT SECRET BEIRUT 5308 NODIS REF: AMMAN 2984 DEPT PLEASE PASS APPROPRIATE POSTS. 1. PRESIDENTIAL CONFIDANT INFORMED ME JUNE 23 AFTER HELOU'S RETURN FROM LIBYA, THAT HUSSEIN AND NASSER BOTH HAD INFORMED HELOU THAT THEIR UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT USG INTENDED RE- PLACE ISRAELI AIRCRAFT LOSSES. RIYAD, ACCORDING HELOU, HAD EVEN GLOOMIER VIEW (UNSPECIFIED) RE US POLICY RE AIRCRAFT SALES TO ISRAEL. I ASSURED GOL THIS DID NOT ACCORD OUR INFORMATION AND GAVE SIMILAR PRESENTATION AS DID AMMAN (PARA 3, REFTEL). I ALSO URGED HELOU TO CLARIFY US DECISIONS WITH EGYPTIAN AMB HERE AND I BELIEVE THIS WAS DONE JUNE 23 OR 24. 2. GOL OF COURSE NOT UNDER PALESTINIAN GUN TO SAME DEGREE AS HUSSEIN. THEY THEREFORE INCLINED SHOW MORE CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM THAT US INTIATIVE MAY BE FIRST STEP ON ROAD TO PEACE THAN DID ZAID RIFAI. LEBANESE DO EXPECT INTRANSIGENT PALESTINIAN OPPOSITION TO PEACE INITIATIVE, AND CONSTANTLY INQUIRE AS TO HOW US PROPOSES HANDLE PALESTINIAN PROBLEM. THERE IS ALMOST TOAL AGREEMENT HERE AMONG LEBANESE, AND DIPLOMATIC COLLEAGUES, THAT RESOLUTION 242 PROVISIONS RE JUST SETTLEMENT REFU- GEE PROBLEM (INTERPRETED AS LIMITED REPATRIATION OR COMPENSATION AND RESETTLEMENT) IS NOT IN ITSELF ADEQUATE APPROACH TO PROBLEM OF PALESTINIANS. IN OTHER WORDS, IT IS NO LONGER A "REFUGEE PROBLEM AND CANNOT BE TREATED AS SUCH. 3. MANY LEBANESE FEEL QUESTION OF PALESTINIAN NATIONAL ASPIRATIONS MUST BE SETTLED IN JORDAN, POSSIBLY EBEN AT EXPENSE OF HASHEMITE REGIME. UNTIL OUTLINES OF PALESTINIAN "SOLUTION" BEGIN TO EMERGE, LEBANON WILL BE VERY CUATIOUS IN PUBLICLY SUPPPORTING US INTIAIVE, IN FEAR THIS MIGHT BRING PALESTINIANS INTO STREETS OF BEIRUT. 4. 4. I WILL BE SEEING PRES. HELOU AFTERNOON JUNE 29, AND HOPE GET HIS ANALYSIS OF SITUATION. IN MEANTIME, I THINK WE CAN SAFELY ASSUME LEBANESE WILL CONTINUE PLAY PASSIVE ROLE WITH RESPECT US PEACE INITIATIVE. THEY, LIKE ALL OTHER MODERATES IN MIDDLE EAST, DESPERATELY HOPE USG INITIATIVE WILL SUCCEED. THEY SERIOUSLY DOUBT, HOWEVER, THAT NASSER, UNDER PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, CAN MAKE BOLD RESPONS, AND THEY URGE USG NOT TO BE DISHEARTENED BY NASSER'S APPARENTLY MILITANT STATEMENTS WHCIH THEY VIEW ONLY AS NECESSARY DEFENSE MECHANISM ON HIS PART. THEY ALSO POINT OUT NASSER GREATLY INHIBITED BY JORDANIAN SITA UATION AND HIS DESIRE NOT PUT HUSSEIN MORE ON SPOT. 5. COMMENT: WE ARE ALSO BEGINNING HEAR ANALYSIS THAT USG INITIATIVE HAS "PREDICTABEL" PRO-ISRAELI BIAS, BECAUSE US PROPOSALS ALLEGEDLY REQUIRE ISRAEL MAKE NO COMMITMENTS FOR PEACE UNTIL JORDAN AND UAR HAVE DONE SO. SINCE ARABS BELIEVE (AND ASSUME USG MUST KNOW) THAT HUSSEIN IS CAPTIVE OF HIS SITUATION AT MOMENT AND INCAPABLE OF ACCEPTING ANY "PEACE" NITIATIVE, THEY REASON THAT USG HAS SET UP SITUATION IN WHICH ARABS WILL APPEAR BE OBSTRUCTING PEACE EFFORRTS. ISRAEL WIL L THEN SEEM ENTITLED TO (AND WILL GET) PHANTOMS. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS IS VUL- NERABLE ASPECT OF OUR CURRENT PROPOSALS, AND ONE WHICH WE MUST CAREFULLY HANDLE. OTHERWISE WE WILL BE UNABLE REGAIN ARAB CONFIDENCE IN OUR INTENTIONS -- AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN THE INITIATIVE. PORTER BT SECRET NODIS Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DISNETMENT OF STATE MA * * Department of State UNITED STATES OF THE TELEGRAM OL. SECRET, CN: 68650 RECD: 25 JUN 70 C710 AM ON ROOM ROOM 9 0 251016Z JUN 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT AM 32 TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 900 BT SECRETBEIRUT5233 NODIS REF: AMMAN 2964; STATE 100492 1. WE OF COURSE AGREE WITH AMMAN'S ANALYSIS OF LIKELY PALE- STINIAN AND EXTREMIST ARAB REACTION TO SECRETARY'S PROPOSED STATEMENT. OUR VIEWS WERE SPELLED OUT BEIRUT'S 5219. 2. EXCLUSION OF PHRASE QUOTE OUR DECISIONS WITH RESPECT TO UNQUOTE MILITARY ASSISTANCE FOR ISRAEL IN REVISED TEXT IS VERY HELPFUL, THOUGH TEXT OF COURSE STILL LIABLE TO DISTORTION AND MISREPRESENTATION. 3. WE THINK WE CAN SQUEAK BY WITH STATEMENT AS IT STANDS, ALTHOUGH WE CAN EXPECT A CRITICAL ARAB PRESS, WHICH WILL ASSUME AT OUTSET THAT WE ARE COVERING UP HIDDEN COMMITMENTS ON AIR- CRAFT SALES. WE THINK AMMAN'S PROBLEM MUCH MORE SERIOUS THAN OURS. 4. OBVIOUSLY A GREAT MANY GOVERNMENTS IN ARAB WORLD AND ELSEWHERE ARE GOING TO BE AWARE THAT THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS RE ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT SALES TO ISRAEL AT MOMENT. WE ASSUME THIS WILL LEAK AND WILL SERVE TO MITIGATE POSSIBLE MISREPRESENTATIONS OF STATEMENT. WE HOPE THAT ANY QUESTION AND ANSWER HANDLING IN SECRETARY'S PRESS CONFERENCE WILL NOT HAVE TO EMPHASIZE OUR LONG-RANGE COMMITMENTS RE PROVISION OF AIRCRAFT TO ISRAEL. PORTER BT СОЛИСИ SECURITY 70H 52 .10 BECEINED SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE 10 * Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET CONTROL: 67120 RECD: JUN 24 633PM 70 JUN 20 PM 0 242145Z JUN 70 ZFF-4 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0897 BT SECRET BEIRUT 5227 NODIS FOR SISCO REF: STATE 99770 1. DIRGEN MININFO HAS JUST INFORMED US BEIRUT RADIO AT MIDNIGHT WILL CARRY DENIAL BY FONMIN, CALLING ON PRESS TO BEWARE OF MISLEADING RUMORS NOW CIRCULATING RE US PROPOSAL ON ME AND CALLING ATTENTION TO STATEMENT BY PRIMIN THIS MORNING THAT PRESENT ME SITUATION REQUIRES GREATEST DISCRETION AND ANY OFFICIAL COMMENT ON PEACE INITIATIVES WOULD BE PREMATURE. 2. BELIEVE WIRE STORIES ON THIS SUBJECT FROM BEIRUT BEGAN WITH STORY BY IZZAT SHUKRI WHICH HIT REUTERS WIRE ABOUT 1900 LOCAL. SHUKRI SEEMS TO HAVE USED LEAKS FROM OTHER CAPITALS, NOTABLY MAARIV STORY WHICH WAS PLAYED UP LOCALLY THIS MORNING, TO PRY SUFFICIENT ADDITIONAL INFO FROM GOL TO PRODUCE SEMI-ACCRATE STORY. 3. ORIGINAL CUSTODIANS OF THIS INFO WERE HELOU, KHOURY, AND MAJDALANI -- FROM WHOM I EXTRACTED PROMISE TO REVEAL IT TO NO ONE ELSE BUT SADAQA AND LEB AMB TO UAR, WHO IS NOW HERE. 4. AS SOON AS REUTERS STORY HIT WIRES, WE UNDERTOOK TO SHOOT IT DOWN: FIRST BY ISSUANCE OF STATEMENT THAT IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR EMBASSY TO COMMENT ON A SPECULATIVE STORY; SECOND, BY GETTING MININFO TO GET OUT A DENIAL AND RELAYING FACT OF THIS DENIAL TO PRESS CONTACTS. 5. I AM SEEKING LATE-NIGHT APPOINTMENT WITH KHOURY TO INVOKE HELOU'S PERSONAL ATTENTION TO GETTING THE LID BACK ON. PORTER BT SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State WH OF STATES that AMERICA TELEGR SECRET 0 231615Z JUN 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0881 BT 6184Q SITUATION SECRET BEIRUT 5167 1970 JUN 23 PM 12 22 NODIS PM REF: BEIRUT 5129 ROOM 1) PRESIDENTIAL CONFIDANT INFORMED ME MORNING JUNE 23 THAT HE HAD HAD CHANCE BRIEF HELOU (WHO JUST BACK FROM TRIPOLI) ON US PEACE INITIATIVE. HELOUS INITIAL REACTION FAVORABLE BUT HE FORESEES PROBLEMS AND ASKS USG TO BE PATIENT IF THERE NO IMMEDIATE RESULTS. HE BELIEVES IT WILL TAKE TIME TO PREPARE THE CLIMATE AND NASSER WILL HAVE TO MOVE SLOWLY TO PROTECT HIMSELF. HELOU HAD NOTED PRIMIN MEIR'S LATEST STATEMENT DEMANDING DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS AND HE CONSIDERED THIS SETBACK. MANY ARABS WILL ASSUME SHE EXPRESSING USG VIEWS. ON OTHER HAND, HE FULLY REALIZED DIFFICULTIES USG MUST BE HAVING IN SECURING ISRAELI ACCEPTANCE ON NEW APPROACH. HELOU OPINED THAT A VISIBLE GAP BETWEEN US AND ISRAELI VIEWPOINTS MIGHT HAVE HELPFUL EFFECT IN IMPROVING ARAB CLIMATE OF OPINION FOR PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT. 2) BOTH HELOU AND FONMIN MAJDALANI WHOM I SAW LATER WERE CONCERNED ABOUT TIMING AND CONTENT US PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT WHICH THEY ASSUME WILL BE INCLUDED IN SECRETARY ROGERS' JUNE 24 PRESS CONFERENCE. BOTH URGED THAT AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE BE SAID WHICH WOULD APPEAR TO CONFIRM WIDELY-HELD ARAB VIEW THAT THIS JUST ANOTHER US ISRAELI CONSPIRACY. REFERRED TO SECRETARY'S GOOD INITIATIVE IN DECEMBER 9 SPEECH WHICH LOST ITS IMPACT BECAUSE ARABS BELIEVED IT DESIGNED MAINLY TO PUT RABAT SUMMIT INTO DISARRAY. THEY ACCEPTED LOGIC OF MY COMMENTS THAT US MUST NOT LET ISRAEL FEEL ISOLATED IF WE ARE TO HAVE DESIRED INFLUENCE ON ISRAELI POLICY. BUT BOTH FELT IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT AT THIS JUNCTURE FOR SECRETARY TO SPEAK PRIMARILY TO ARAB PUBLIC OPINION; OTHERWISE USG WOULD BE OPENING ITSELF TO INEVITABLE ATTACK WHICH WOULD IN TURN INHIBIT RESPONSE OF MODERATE ARAB LEADERSHIP -- ABOVE ALL NASSER. 3) MAJDALANI URGED THAT WE EMPHASIZE PHANTOM DECISION IS NEGATIVE. HE ASKED WHY IT NECESSARY PROMISE PUBLICLY COMPLETION OF DELIVERIES TO ISRAEL UNDER EXISTING CONTRACTS. EVERYONE KNOWS THIS WILL BE DONE, BUT ARAB EXTREMISTS WILL TWIST STATEMENT TO IMPLY IT COVER- UP FOR HIDDEN NEW COMMITMENTS TO ISRAEL. HE SAID USG SHOULD EMPHASIZE THAT IT TAKING CONSCIOUS ACT OF RESTRAINT TO ALLOW SHOOTING TO STOP AND TALKING TO START. WE CAN GIVE OUR PRIVATE ASSURANCES TO ISRAEL, HE SAID, BUT HE HOPES WE WILL BE ABLE AVOID MAKING A PUBLIC CONTINGENT COMMITMENT FOR FUTURE AIRCRAFT SALES. THIS WILL BE CONSIDERED FORM OF BLACKMAIL ON ARABS. SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET 22 BEIRUT 5167, 2316152 JUN, NODIS BECEIAED 4) BOTH HELOU AND MAJDALANIWERE WORRIED ABOUT EFFECT OF US ANNOUNCEMENT ON PALESTINIANS IN LEBANON AND JORDAN. MAJDALANI URGED US KEEP THIS SPECIAL PROBLEM IN MIND WHEN PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE. HE ALSO CONCERNED BY ABSENCE OF ANY REFERENCE TO PALESTINIANS IN PROPOSED JARRING STATEMENT. IN RESPONSE HIS QUESTION, I SAID I DID NOT KNOW WHETHER USG ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD MAKE SOME MENTION OF PALESTINIAN PEOPLE, BUT I WOULD REPORT HIS CONCERN. 5) HELOU REPORTS THAT, IN PRIVATE TALK WITH NASSER, IN LIBYA, THERE WAS GENERAL DISCUSSION OF US PEACE INITIATIVE. HELOU NOT CLEAR HOW WELL NASSER HAFRBEEN BRIEFED AT TIME OF TALK. HE REPORTED NASSER PLEASED THAT US HAD RESPONDED TO MAY 1 SPEECH, BUT HE CHARACTERIZED NASSER AS RESERVED AND SOMEWHAT SKEPTICAL OF FEASIBILITY OF US APPROACH. NASSER MENTIONED, FOR INSTANCE, THAT US HAD MADE DECISION REPLACE ISRAELI AIRCRAFT LOSSES - FACT WHICH LEADS ME TO QUESTION HWEHTER NASSER HAD RECEIVED LATEST US COMMUNICATION. HELOU REPORTS HIS FIRM BELIEF, HOWEVER, THAT NASSER STILL STRONGLY SUPPORTS POLITICAL SETTLEMENT. PORTER BT SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DISETHENT UNITED ** STATES OF OF STATE Department of State TELEGRAM SECRET 5 00 RUEHC DE RUQMBE 5155 2741342 ZNY SSSSS 6122Q 0 231330Z JUN 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 879 1970 JUN 23 AM 10 24 BT SECRET BEIRUT 5155 LIMDIS WE WOULD APPRECIATE KNOWING AS FAR IN ADVANCE AS POSSIBLE TIME AND TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT ON PHANTOMS IN ORDER TO ADVISE SECURITY FORCES HERE. PORTER BT NOTE: HANDLED AS NODIS PER MR. GARDNER BROWN S/S-O. 70 JUN 23 AM 11:58 58 situation Room ROOM SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE 10 Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET CONTROL: 5891Q RECD: JUN 22, 1970 R 221700Z JUN 70 3:56 P.M. FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0871 BT PM 5:41 NROOM ouse SECRE T BEIRUT 5130 NODIS - NOFORN DEPT PASS AMMAN CAIRO LONDON MOSCOW PARIS USUN TEL AVIV JIDDA KUWAIT REF: STATE 96540 1. WE WELCOME DEPARTMENT'S NEW PEACE INITIATIVE AND BELIEVE DEPARTMENT HAS EVOLVED ON THE WHOLE REASONABLE INTERIM SOLUTION ISRAELI ARMS PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH DIFFICULT TO ANTICIPATE PALESTINIAN REACTION, OUR ESTIMATE IS THAT THE DEPARTMENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT WILL GIVE THE LEBANESE RENEWED HOPE. 2. TO INSURE HOWEVER THAT THE DEPARTMENT'S INTENDED ANNOUNCEMENT WILL HAVE AS FAVORABLE RECEPTION IN THE ARAB WORLD AS POSSIBLE, WE SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC STATEMENT OUTLINED REFTEL. (A) THAT SENTENCE (E) IN SECOND PARAGRAPH "THAT THE US STRONGLY DESIRES TO MAINTAIN ITS FRIENDSHIP WITH ALL COUNTRIES IN THE AREA WHO DESIRE OUR FRIENDSHIP" SHOULD BECOME CONSIDERATION (B) AND (B) SHOULD BECOME CONSIDERATION (C). THIS WOULD ENHANCE EMPHASIS ON POINT THAT WE WISH TO MAINTAIN OUR FRIENDSHIP WITH THE ARAB WORLD AS WELL AS WITH THE ISRAELIS AND WOULD HELP DISPELL CURRENT MODERATE ARAB FEELING THAT THE US HAS LOST INTEREST IN THE ARABS AND USG ASSETS IN THE ARAB WORLD. (B) AGAIN WITH AN EYE TO ARAB RECEPTIVITY, WE SUGGEST IN THE THIRD PARAGRAPH THAT "DELIVERIES OF AIRCRAFT TO ISRAEL WILL BE LIMITED AND NOT GO BEYOND" BE AMENDED TO " "NO DELIVERIES OF AIRCRAFT WILL BE MADE TO ISRAEL BEYOND THE TOTAL NUMBER CONTEMPLATED UNDER PREVIOUS CONTRACTS". IT SEEMS TO US THAT THE ISRAELIS SHOULD NOT OBJECT TO THIS IN VIEW OF THE CONTINGENT ARRANGEMENTS BEING MADE ON AIRCRAFT REPLACEMENT. IT IS A MORE POSITIVE STATEMENT FROM THE ARAB POINT OF VIEW. 3. ALSO, WE URGE THAT THERE BE NO FURTHER EMPHASIS IN USG STATEMENTS ON ULTIMATE NEED FOR SOME FORM OF DIRECT ARAB-ISRAELI TALKS. IT HAD TO BE SAID ONCE, BUT FURTHER ITERATION OF THIS POINT WILL BE A RED FLAG TO ARABS, AND ONE WHICH MAY ADD TO SUSPICIONS OF US MOTIVES. IF WE REACH POINT WHERE ARABS ARE PREPARED TO AGREE, IT SHOULD NOT BE DIFFICULT TO GET BOTH SIDES IN SAME ROOM. PORTER BT NOTE: NOT PASSED BY OC Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF OL. ORGAN STATE 10 Department of State UNITED STATES the OF TELEGRAM SECRET PM CONTROL: 5885Q RECD JUN 22,1970 P 221745Z JUN 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0870 BT SECRET BEIRUT 5129 NODIS SUBJ: ARAB-ISRAELI PEACE INITIATIVE REF: STATE 97788 1) IN ABSENCE PRES. HELOU LIBYA, I BRIEFED PRESIDENTIAL CONFIDANT AFTERNOON JUNE 22 AS INSTRUCTED REFTEL. HE WILL INFORM HELOU UPON HIS RETURN TONIGHT OR TOMORROW MORNING. I AM ALSO BRIEFING FONMIN MAJDALANI TOMORROW MORNING. 2) CONFIDANT WAS OF COURSE GREATLY HEARTENED. AT SAME TIME HE POINTED OUT CHANCE OF REAL PROGRESS TOWARDS PEACE PUSHES US INTO CRITICAL PERIOD IN TERMS OF PALESTINIAN AND EXTREMIST REACTION, PARTICULARLY IN JORDAN AND LEBANON. HE THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE TO ACT WITH GREAT PRUDENCE AND CAUTION IN RECOGNITION THIS PROBLEM. 3) CONFIDANT SAID ALL LEOWNESE EVIDENCE HOLDS THAT NASSER WANTS POLITICAL SETTLEMENT. THEY ALSO BELIEVE sovs MORE REALISTIC RECENTLY AND ANXIOUS REDUCE TENSION IN AREA. CONFIDANT CITED RECENT CONVERSATION OF LEBANESE TOURISM MINISTER BABIKIAN IN LONG SESSION WITH VINOGRADOV IN MOSCOW. BABIKIAN CAME AWAY WITH STRONG IMPRESSION THAT sovs DESPERATELY WISH AVOID ESCALATION AND WERE MAKING IT CLEAR TO ALL THEIR ARAB CLIENTS THAT THEY DESIRED PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT. 4) IN RESPONSE CONFIDANT'S QUESTION, I SAID I DID NOT KNOW UAR OR ANY OTHER REACTION AS YET. HE SAID WE MUST NOT BE DISAPPOINTED IF NASSER DOES NOT GIVE CLEAR-CUT RESPONSE. NASSER WILL HAVE TO PROTECT HIMSELF IN HIS RELATIONS WITH PALESTINIANS AND RADICAL ARAB LEADERS. HE WILL THEREFORE INDULGE IN HEDGING AND SOME "IFS". HE ALSO ASSUMED NASSER MIGHT TRY TAKE CREDIT FOR NEW PEACE INITIATIVE AS EGYPTIAN VICTORY. I SAID NO OBJECTION TO NASSER SAVING HIS FACE, SO LONG AS THIS MOVED US TOWARDS PEACE. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2- BEIRUT 5129, JUN 22 5) CONFIDANT SAID PALESTINIAN PROBLEM MUST BE PUBLICLY MENTIONED IN SOME CONTEXT, HOPEFULLY BY USG. IN ANY CASE, PROPOSED JARRING STATEMENT SHOULD MAKE SOME SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO PALESTINIANS, PERHAPS USING SIMILAR LANGUAGE TO THAT OF NASSER'S MAY 1 SPEECH, E.G., "FINDING A. SOLUTION TO THE JUST AND LEGITIMATE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF PALESTINE." THIS MIGHT SERVE TO NEUTRALIZE EXTREMIST GROUPS AND TO BUY TIME FOR SEEKING A SOLUTION WITHOUT VIOLENT PALESTINIAN OPPOSITION. IT MIGHT ALSO SAVE HUSSEIN. 6) HE ALSO HOPED WE WOULD NOT GIVE NASSER A DEADLINE AND WE WOULD NOT MAKE OUR UNILATERAL US ANNOUNCEMENT PREMATURELY. STATEMENT MIGHT AROUSE THE PALESTINIANS AND NASSER WOULD THEN BE FORCED INTO A DEFENSIVE POSITION. 7) RE CEASEFIRE. HE BELIEVED A DETERMINED EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO PUT IT INTO EFFECT. PERHAPS AT SAME TIME THERE COULD BE A GRADUAL INCREASE IN UN OBSERVER FORCES WHICH WOULD IN ITSELF HAVE A STABILIZING EFFECT. EVEN IF CEASEFIRE OCCASIONALLY VIOLATED, IT WAS MUCH BETTER THAN NONE AT ALL. 8) RE INTERNAL SECURITY SITUATION LEBANON, HE REPEATED THAT US ANNOUNCEMENT NO MATTER HOW MODERATE AND BALANCED IT MIGHT BE, STILL MIGHT BE SIGNAL FOR PALESTINIANS TO APPLY PRESSURE AND DO ALL THE DAMAGE THEY COULD TO OBSTRUCT PEACE. HE REQUESTED USG PROVIDE ADVANCE NOTICE TO GOL OF OUR ANNOUNCEMENT SO MAXIMUM SECURITY PRECAUTIONS COULD BE TAKEN, INCLUDING PREPARATIONS FOR A GENERAL CURFEW. PORTER BT Reproduced at SECRET Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. STATE Depariment of State OF STATES UNITED AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET WH 63 R 231515Z JUN 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0882 62070 BT SECRETBEIRUT5168 1970 JUN 23 PM 1 20 NODIS FOR ASSITANT SECRETARY SISCO 1) THANKS FOR YOUR NOTE OF JUNE 15. FYI, HELOU SENT WORD TO ME TODAY (6/23) URGING USG SUPPLY ARMS TO CHRISTIAN ELEMENTS. HE BELIEVED THIS WOULD BE MOST EFFECTIVE DETERRENCE TO PALESTINIAN VIOLENCE. HE SAID, BASED ON HIS RECENT TALKS WITH SEVERAL CHRISTIAN LEADERS, HE FELT CONFIDENT THAT OUR SUPPORT WOULD NOT EMBOLDEN CHRISTIAN GROUPS TO TAKE MILITANT ACTION ON THEIR OWN INITIATIVE. THEY WERE TOO DEEPLY CONCERNED AND WORRIED ABOUT INTERNAL SECURITY SITUATION, AND WOULD DO NOTHING ON THEIR OWN TO START BLOOD BATH. 2) I GAVE NON-COMMITTAL RESPONSE AND SAID IF WE DID GET INVOLVED THIS ACTIVITY I WOULD NOT ADMIT IT EVEN TO HIM. CONFIDANT, WHO TRANSMITTED HELOU'S MESSAGE, SAID HELOU WANTED US GET CREDIT WITH THE CHRISTIAN GROUPS. HE FELT IT WOULD GIVE THEM REASSURANCE. I SAID I DISAGREED WITH THIS APPROACH - US HAND SHOULD NOT SHOW. PORTER BT '70 JUL 6 PM 11:01 11: 01 SITUATION.ROOM SITUA ROOM SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DE Department of State WN NETTES STATES OF TELEGRAN SECRET CONTROL: 5195Q RECD: JUN 19, 197 4:51 P.M. P 191840Z JUN 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 843 BT SECRET BEIRUT 5069 NODIS $70 JUN 19 PM DEPARTMENT PASS INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 1. ALTHOUGH WE INTEND CONTINUE OUR INFORMAL CONTACTS WITH PALESTINIANS CONNECTED WITH THE FEDAYEEN MOVEMENT. FEDAYEEN OFFICIALS TEND TO JUDGE THE US MORE AND MORE AS. A HOSTILE POWER AND THEREFORE TO SHUN OFFICIAL US CONTACTS. EVEN SO ME OF OUR FRIENDS AMONG THE PALESTINIAN INTELLECTUAL COMMUNITY FIND THAT THE DIALOGUE HAS RUN DRY. THEY DO NOT SUPPORT THE NOVEMBER RESOLUTION; WE DO NOT SUPPORT THE CREATION OF A JEWISH- MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN STATE. MORE AND MORE OF THEM ARE ESPOUSING THE RADICAL VIEW THAT THE US CAN BE BROUGHT AROUND ONLY BY DETERMINED HARASSMENT OF AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS AND PERSONNEL. 2. IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, WE COULD AS SUGGESTED BRIEF FATAH/CONNECTED PROFESSORS AT AUB LIKE YUSUF SAYIGH, ZUHAYR AL' ALAMI AND NABIL SHA'H. WE COULD NOT, HOWEVER, GUARANTEE THAT ANY OF THESE CONTACTS COULD PASS THE MESSAGE INTACT TO FATAH LEADERS OR - - IF THEY DID--THAT SUCH A PROCEDURE WOULD PRODUCE A CONSTRUCTIVE REACTION, INSURE AGAINST MISREPRESENTATION OF THE US POSITION, OR MODERATE THE PALESTINIAN REACTION THERETO. THIS CHANNEL HAS BEEN USED ONLY ONCE FOR OPERATIONAL MATTERS CAMERICAN HOSTAGES IN JORDAN) AND HAS NOT REALLY BEEN TESTED. THE POINT IS THE US-FEDAYEEN CIRCUIT IS NOT YET READY TO HANDLE TRAFFIC OF SUCH IMPORT. THERE HAS BEEN NO GROUND WORK LAID. SECOND, THE POLITICAL CLIMATE IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE JORDANIAN DISTURBANCES AND ON THE EVE OF AICAIUIOM ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT PROPITIOUS. OUR CREDIBILITY IS VERY MUCH AT ISSUE. IN ORDER TO DEVELOP SOME MEANS OF FEDAYEEN CONFIDENCE IN THE us, WE NEED SOME TANGIBLE DEMONSTRATION OF US DETERMINATION TO BREAK THE NEGOTIATING DEADLOCK. A STATEMENT FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ALONG THE LINES OF SENATOR HATFIELD'S EXCELLENT REMARKS CONCERNING THE REFUGEES WOULD BE HELPFUL. WE RECALL THE INTENSE INTEREST EVOKED HERE BY ASSISTANT SECRETARY SISCO'S REFERENCE TO PATNSTINE IN HIS BEIRUT DEPARTURE STATEMENT AND HIS STATEMENT AFTER TEHRAN MEETING. FOR EXAMPLE, THE USG MIGHT DEMONSTRATE A DETERMINATION TO WORK FOR ISRAELI ACCEPTANCE OF IMMEDIATE DP REPATRIATION TO THE WEST BANK. FAILING SOME SUCH EARNEST OF US SINCERITY, WE BELIEVE CONSULTATION WITH PALESTINIANS OF TYPE SUGGESTED BY DEPT WOULD NOT BE PRODUCTIVE AT THIS TIME. SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2- BEIRUT 5069, JUN 19 3. THESE CONSIDERATIONS DO NOT ALTER THIS EMBASSY'S BELIEF THAT AN ATTEMPT SHOULD BE MADE TO OPEN A PERMANENT CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE PALESTINIAN LEADERSHIP. THE USG CHOSE TO OPEN LINEUYLMETHE FEDAYEEN ON THE HOSTAGE QUESTION. THE ICRC HAD TO DEAL WITH THE FEDAYEEN IN ORDER TO EVACUATE THE FOREIGNERS FROM AMMAN. AS THE PALESTINIAN MOVEMENT GAINS IN INFLUENCE AND COHESION, THE NEED FOR A US-FEDAYEEN DIALOGUE WILL CONTINUE TO GROW. 4. IN ORDER TO BREAK DOWN THE BARRIER OF SUSPICION AND SURMOUNT THE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED ABOVE, THE USE MAY HAVE TO RESORT TO SPECIAL DEVICES, E.G., ARRANGE THE VISIT OF A PALESTINIAN DELEGA- TION TO NEW YORK, OSTENSIBLY TO APPEAR BEFORE THE UN; ARRANGE FOR AN AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OR PRIVATE AMERICAN ORGANIZATION. (AFME, MIDDLE EAST INSTITUTE) TO SET UP A PALESTINIAN COLLOQUIUM; SET UP INFORMAL PALESTINIAN CONTACTS WITH CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES; EMPOWER A PROMINENT JOURNALIST WITH ARAB ENTREE TO SPEAK TO FEDAYEEN LEADERS IN THE SECRETARY'S NAME; SEND KNOWLEDGEABLE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM OUTSIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT ON UN- PUBLICIZED FACTFINDING TRIPS TO THE MIDDLE EAST. BY SUCH MEANS, IT MIGHT EVENTUALLY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE USG TO DEVELOP MEANINGFUL EXCHANGES WITH MORE MODERATE FEDAYEEN LEADERS--EXCHANGES WHICH MIGHT BE FOLLOWED UP BY EMBASSY PERSONNEL TO EXTENT OUR AVAILABLE MANPOWER ALLOWED. PORTER BT NOTE: NOT PASSED AMMAN BY OC/T. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. STATEMENT OF WH STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 13 P 181332Z JUN 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 46720 TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 820 JUNE 18 11 AM BT SECRET BEIRUT 4990 NODIS '70 JUN 18 PM 3:34 REF: BEIRUT 4989 FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY SISCO 1) MICHEL KHOURY URGED JUNE 17 THAT USG PROVIDE ARMS ASSISTANCE TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF LEBANON. HE FELT MAJOR RESTRAINT ON PALESTINIANS CAME FROM FACT OF ADEQUATE CHRISTIAN PARAMILITARY STRENGTH. HE SAID CHRISTIANS HAD BEEN DOIN A LOT ON THEIR OWN AND WERE BETTER ARMED THAN A YEAR AGO BUT THEY STILL NEEDED CONSIDERABLE HELP AND SHOULD HAVE IT QUICKLY. THIS ASSURANCE OF BACK-UP SUPPORT WOULD ALSO GREATLY CEIVED IMPROVE CAPACITY AND WILL OF THE ARMY TO MEET FEDAYEEN AND BE RADICAL THREATS. 2) COMMENT: KHOURY IS NOT ONE OF THE MILITANT CHRISTIANS, EITHER BY POLITICAL AFFILIATION OR BY CONVICTION. THIS IS FIRST TIME HAS EVER RAISED THIS SUBJECT WITH ME. PORTER BT SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. WEBARTMENT OF STATE WH 9 Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET R 091600Z JUN 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT CONTROL: 2166Q TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0643 RECD: JUN 9, 1970 BT 4:00 P.M. SECRET BEIRUT 4563 NODIS REF: STATE 88816 FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY SISCO 1) I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR GIVING US PREVIEW OF EVENTS. WE 70 JUN PM 9: SITUATIONROOM DO HAVE TWO SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN LEBANON (A) OUR SUBSTANTIAL AMERICAN ESTABLISHMENT, AND THE COMMUNITY (AROUND FIVE THOUSAND ARE SPREAD OUT AND IN A VULNERABLE POSITION, (B) JUNE 15 IS THE DATE SET FOR APPLICATION OF LEBANESE RESTRUCTIONS ON FEDAYEEN ACTIVITY. GOL IS APPROACHING THIS DATE WITH MUCH APPREHENSION. 2) I AM AFRAID OUR AMERICAN COMMUNITY WILL HAVE TO REMAIN A HOSTAGE TO EVENTS. ANY ATTEMPT TO ALERT THEM IN ADVANCE MIGHT CAUSE SOME PANIC, AND PREDISPOSE THE LEBANESE TO ANTICIPATE THE WORST POSSIBLE US DECISION ON AIRCRAFT SALES TO ISRAEL. 3) IF, ON THE OTHER HAND, USG NEW POLITICAL INITIATIVES PROVIDE MEASURE OF REAL HOPE OF PEACE TO LEBANESE, I THINK WE CAN SQUEAK BY WITHOUT MAJOR TROUBLES ON A STATED POLICY OF A "VERY MODEST ASSURANCE TO ISRAEL IN FORM OF REPLACEMENT AIRCRAFT." WE SHOULD MAKE CLEAR WE TAKE STEP RELUCTANTLY, AND THAT THERE ARE NO HIDDEN COMMITMENTS. I AM SURE YOU WILL DO YOUR BEST TO MAKE THE CARROT MUCH LARGER THAN THE STICK, FROM POINT OF VIEW OF ARAB WORLD. 4) PALESTINIAN REACTION IS ANOTHER MATTER. THE NEARER THE POSSIBILITY OF PEACE APPEARS, THE MORE DANGEROUS THEY MAY BECOME. JUNE 15 IS NOT IN ITSELF THE MAGIC DATE, BUT SOON THEREAFTER WE CAN EXPECT SOME LEBANESE-FEDAYEEN INCIDENT WHICH COULD SPARK OFF SOMETHING LIKE THE EVENTS IN AMMAN TODAY. THE WILL OF THE LEBANESE TO BE TOUGH WITH THE FEDAYEEN WILL BE GREATLY INFLUENCED BY TODAY'S AMMAN CONFRONTATION AND ARAB WORLD REACTION, AND I CANNOT CLEARLY PREDICT OUTCOME. IF ARAB WORLD CONDEMNS HUSSEIN, LEBANESE WILL GET VERY GUNSHY, AND PALESTINIANS AND RADICAL GROUPS MIGHT TRY TO HIT OUT AT US PRESENCE. 5) ALL IN ALL, IF SHAPE OF NEW US INITIATIVES ACCURATELY REFLECTED IN EVANS-NOVAK COLUMN JUNE 8 WASHINGTON POST, I DO NOT BELIEVE WE WILL EXPERIENCE SHARP DETERIORATION USG POSITION IN LEBANON, AS WOULD BE CERTAIN CASE IF WE MADE ADD-ON AIRCRAFT SALE TO ISRAEL. I WILL OF COURSE ASSURE THAT OUR PLANNING FOR PROTECTIVE MEASURES IS AI MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has ben detmine to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE LDX CHANNEL MESSAGE COVER FORM MSG. NO. L. TRANSMITTED BY: MAPaRKeR 2. TO: WH 938 DATE & TIME DEPARTMENT OF STATE '70 JUN 2 PH 5 5: 36 1970 JUN 2 P: 5 35 WHITE HOUSE 3. ORIGINATOR: INR/DOC - Gardner4. RECEIVED BY: SITUATION ROOM DATE & TIME: 5. DESCRIPTION: Memo - 6/2/70 5. CLASSIFICATION & CONTROLS: SECRET/NODIS 7. NO. OF PGS: 2 8. PRECEDENCE 9. VALIDATED BY: ). DELIVER TO: MR Jessup x 3334 FOR: : CLEARANCE INFORMATION PER REQUEST Revised: 9 Jan. 1970 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OPTIONAL For. MAY 181 EDITION DSA FPMA (ii cent 101-11.8 m Govern - R LNXT John UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum SECRET/NODIS TO : INR/DDC - Ambassador Wymberley DeR Coerr DATE: June 2, 1970 FROM : NEA/ARN - Talcott W. Seelye The SUBJECT: M-41 Tanks for Lebanon During the 40 Committee meeting held on May 25 the Committee chairman asked for clarification regarding our undertaking to sell 50 excess M-41 tanks to Lebanon. A report on the status of this transaction was contained in the memorandum which was circulated to members of the 40 Committee for the meeting held on May 25 and was also contained in a memorandum to the WAS AG Working Group in early May outlining recent actions taken to assist Lebanon. The following is a recapitulation of what has occurred in connection with this transaction and where we stand at the present. In consonance with the Lebanese Army's effort to improve its internal security, particularly in coping with the fedayeen, the President of Lebanon in talks with Ambassador Porter expressed the view that additional tanks would be helpful, Since the Lebanese Army already has World War II vintage M-41 tanks in its inventory, Ambassador Porter came up with the idea that we try to locate some surplus M-41 tanks. After checking with the Defense Department we informed Ambassador Porter that it would take some 18 months to rehabilitate surplus tanks. In view of the urgent, immediate problem which the Lebanese Army is currently having with the fedayeen, Ambassador Porter suggested to the Lebanese Government--and the latter agreed-- that the tanks be acquired on an "as is" basis. The Lebanese sent a military team to inspect the tanks and agreed to their purchase in the full understanding that they would not be in top operating condition, DOD/ISA agreed to a concessional price of $12, 583 for each tank which would include communications and certain other essential operating equipment. On the basis of a DOD/ISA undertaking to make these tanks available at this price, we informed the Lebanese Government. In the meantime, however, it appears that the U.S. Army is experi- encing difficulty in making these tanks operable even to a limited SECRET/NODIS Group 3 Downgraded at 12-year intervals; not automatically declassified. Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET/NODIS 2 extent for the concessional price quoted. We are now in the process of trying to resolve this problem since we have already made a commitment to the Lebanese Government. NEA/ARN:TWSeelye:nc SECRET/NODIS Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET 12 5643Q MAY 25, 5:55 1970 R 251645Z MAY 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0485 BT SECRET BEIRUT 4089 PM 10 MAY 25 PM 9:31 31 SITUATION ROOM USE NODIS SUBJ: RIFLES FOR LEBANON REF: BEIRUT 3694 WE MOST STRONGLY HOPE THAT IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO EXPEDITE DELIVERY M-1 RIFLES BY MAC AIRCRAFT AS SUGGESTED REFTEL. WITH IMPACT ON SOUTH LEBANON OF ISRAELI RETALIATORY RAIDS OF MAY 12 AND MAY 22 THE REQUIREMENT FOR THESE RIFLES HAS BECOME EVEN MORE URGENT. COMMANDER-IN- CHIEF LEBANESE ARMY GENERAL NOUJAIM ONLY RECENTLY UNDERLINED HIS INTEREST TO ARMA IN RECEIVING THE RIFLES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. GOL STILL HAS UAR OFFER TO SUPPLY ARMS FREE OF CHARGE AND OUR UNDERSTANDING YASSIR ARAFAT HAS ALSO AGREED TO SUPPLY ARMS TO WIN FRIENDS AMONG SOUTH LEBANESE. PORTER BT SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE W/d VAR Department of State UNITED STATES or the TELEGRAM SECRET 11 R 171048Z APR 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT Control: 4833Q TO SECSTATE WASHDC 186 BT Recd : 17 Apr 70 S E C R E T SECTION 1 OF 2 BEIRUT 3026 10:46 a.m. NODIS 1. ROBERT ANDERSON SHOWED ME MEMCON HIS TALK WITH NASSER APRIL 13 WHICH INCLUDED DETAILED DIALOGUE ON NASSER'S CHANGED MILITARY RE- LATIONSHIP WITH SOVS. ANDERSON'S VIEW WAS THAT NASSER BELIEVES SOVS ARE COMMITTED TO GIVING HIM SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT AND SOV PERSONNEL TO MAN IT. RESULT WOULD BE THAT WAR WITH ISRAEL "WAS ABOUT TO TAKE A NEW AND DIFFERENT TURN92 ANDERSON, WHO KNOWS NASSER WELL, FELT NASSER MEANT WHAT HE SAID, ALTHOUGH HE UNDERSTOOD THAT NASSER NIGHT BE USING HIM IN A DISINFORMATION ATTEMPT. ANDERSON REPORTED THAT HE HAD GENERAL CORROBORATION OF NEW DIMENSION OF SOV ASSISTANCE FROM DR KAISSOUNI. EXCERPTS FROM MEMCONS UNICH FOLLOW ARE UNCLEARED AND UNEDITED BY ANDERSON. HE HAD PLANNED TO REPORT PERSONALLY AFTER HIS RETURN US, BUT IN VIEW NEW INTELLI- GENCE RECENTLY RECEIVED RE NATURE SOV MILITARY SUPPORT TO UAR, I FEEL COMPELLED SUBMIT THIS WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION AND PRIOR HIS RETURN. I WILL ALSO SHOW TO SISCO. 2. QTE - NASSER STATED THAT THE WAR WITH ISRAEL WAS ABOUT TO TAKE A NEW AND DIFFERENT TURN. HE STATED THAT WHEN THE ISRAELIS BEGAN BOMBING DEEP INTO THE INTERIOR AND NEAR CAIRO IN DECEMBER, HE WAS IN GREAT TROUBLE. EARLY IN JANUARY HE CALLED BREZNNEV AND SIMPLY SAID THAT ON A CERTAIN DAY HE WAS COMING TO MOSCOW AND THAT DECISIONS HAD TO BE MADE CONCERNING INCREASED SOV ASSISTANCE TO THE UAR. HE SAID, "I DID NOT ASK IF I COULD COME; I JUST AN- NOUNCED THAT I WAS COMING AND I PICKED OUT THE DATE." UPON HIS ARRIVAL IN MOSCOW, NASSER SAID HE WENT IMMEDIATELY TO BREZHNEV. HE SAID THAT HE WAS COMING NOT ONLY TO ASK FOR NEW AND SUFFICIENTLY SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS BUT ALSO FOR THE TRAINED MEN WHO COULD OPERATE THEM. HE TOLD BREZHNEV THAT HE, NASSER, HAD LOST HIS HONOR IN 1967 AND THE QUESTION WAS NO LONGER THE HONOR OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UAR, IT WAS A QUESTION OF THE HONOR OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE SOVIET UNION. HE WANTED TO KNOW IF BREZHNEV WAS WILLING TO ACCEPT THAT CHALLENGE BECAUSE HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE SOVS COULD AFFORD TO BE DEFEATED BY ISRAEL AND REMAIN IN POWER. HE TOLD BREZHNEV THAT HE WANTED NOT ONLY AN ABILITY TO DE- FEND HIS COUNTRY AGAINST ISRAELI AIR ATTACKS BUT HE WANTED TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO RETALIATE. HE STATED THAT NASSER'S PRESENT EQUIP- MENT WAS SUCH THAT A GOOD MANY OF HIS AIRCRAFT COULD NOT REACH TARGETS IN ISRAEL. ALTHOUGH ALL OF THE ISRAELI PLANES HAD REACHED Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET Beirut 3026, Section 1 dtd 17 Apr 70 Control: 4833Q TARGETS IN EGYPT UMEREVER THEY MIGHT BE LOCATED. ME TOLD BREZHNEV THAT HE WAS GOING TO STAY IN MOSCOW UNTIL THE SOVS TOOK A POLICY DECISION AND THAT THIS DECISION SHOULD INCLUDE A DETER- MINATION BY MOSCOU THAT ANY RETALIATORY STRIKES AGAINST ISRAEL SHOULD BE ON A SUSTAINED BASIS AND NOT ON AN OCCASIONAL BASIS. NASSER STATED THAT HIS GENERAL IMPRESSION WAS THAT BREZKNEV WAS THE REAL POWER IN THE SOVIET UNION AND THERE WAS NOT A TROIKA OR DEIVISION OF AUTHORITY AS WAS REPORTED IN THE NEUSPAPERS. BREZNNEV TOLD HIM THAT THIS DECISION WAS OF SUCH IMPORTANCE THAT HE WOULD WANT TO CONSULT NOT ONLY WITH HIS PARTY COLLEAGUES BUT WITH THE MARSHALS OF THE SOV FORCES AND THAT THIS WOULD TAKE TIME. NASSER TOLD MIM THAT HE WOULD WAIT AND DID WAIT FOR ABOUT TEN DAYS. HE STATED THAT HIS POSITION VAS STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY ALEXANDER SHELEPIN AND DEFENSE MINISTER GRECHKO. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE MINISTER IN CHARGE OF MILITARY LOGISTICS VISITED KIM AND EXPRESSED COMPLETE SUPPORT FOR NASSER'S POSITION. WHEN ASKED IF THERE WAS AN AREA OF DEBATE BETWEEN BREZHNEV AND KOSYGIN ON THE ONE HAND AND SHELELPIN AND SUSLOV ON THE OTHER, NASSER REITERATED THAT DECISIONS OF THIS KIND WERE IN FACT TAKEN BY BREZHNEV AND HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS ANY SUBSTANTIAL DEBATE GOING ON. WHEN ASKED IF HE WERE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN THE SOV ECONOMY AND ITS GROWING PROBLEM WITH CHINA, HE SAID ME THOUGHT THERE WAS MORE CONCERN ABOUT THE ECONOMY THAN WITH CHINA, ALTHOUGH HE RECOGNIZED THAT THERE WERE PRODLEMS. HE STATED THAT HE HAD MET WITH ALL OF THE SOV MARSHALS AND ATTENDED A DINNER GIVEN BY THEM IN HIS HONOR AND THAT HE HAD THEIR FULL SUPPORT. HE SAYS THAT THE SOV GOVERNMENT IS MILITARILY ORIENTED BECAUSE THAT IS THE ONLY SECURE WAY OF MAINTAINING POWER. NASSER STATED THAT HE NOV HAD SOV SUPPORT FROM THE COMPANY LEVEL UP TO AND IN- CLUDING THE DEPT OF DEFENSE AND THAT IN A VERY SHORT TIME THE COMPLEXION OF THE VAR WOULD CHANGE. HE SEEMED VERY CONFIDENT THAT HE WOULD HAVE FORCE CAPABLE OF PROTECTING EGYPT AND STATED THAT WITHOUT THE RUSSIAN COMMITMENT OF BOTH MEN AND MATERIAL HE WOULD FACE A FIVE-YEAR WAIT BUT THAT WITH THIS COMMITMENT THE COM- PLEXION OF THE WAR WOULD SOON CHANGE. NASSER SAID THAT HE HAD RE- FUSED IN THE PAST TO ALLOW HIS ARMY TO ATTACK TARGETS IN ISRAEL OR THE OCCUPIED TERRITORY BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT BE PROTECTED FROM THE AIR AND BECAUSE THE ISRAELIS WOULD RETALIATE AGAINST NASSER AND NASSER WOULC BE UNABLE TO RETALIATE. PORTER BT Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT of STATE Department of State UNITED P TELEGRAM STATES OF SECRET R 1710482 APR 70 Control: 4877Q FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 187 Recd : 17 Apr 70 BT 11:16 a.m. SECRE T SECTION 2 OF 2 BEIRUT 3026 NODIS 3. QTE - ME STATED THAT IN A SHORT TIME HE THOUGH THE AIR STRENGTH WOULD BE SO EVENLY BALANCED THAT HIS GROUND FORCES COULD AGAIN BECOME EFFECTIVE. I TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD READ IN THE NEWSPAPERS THAT THE NEW RUSSIAN MISSILE, SA-3, WAS BEING PUT INTO OPERATIONAL POSITIONS IN THE UAR AND BY SOV TECHNICIANS BUT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK HIM A DIRECT QUESTION WHICH, IF HE DID NOT VANT TO ANSWER, HE COULD SAY so. I THEN ASKED HIM IF HE HAD A COMMITMENT FROM THE SOVS TO SUPPLY PILOTS AND AIRCRAFT THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED A MATCH FOR THE US PHANTOMS. HE PONDERED THE QUESTION FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND THEN SAID THAT HE WOULD PREFER NOT ANSUER THAT QUESTION DIRECTLY, BUT HE WOULD SAY THAT HE WOULD NO LONGER HAVE TO FIGHT A PURELY DEFENSIVE WAR AND THAT WHEN IT CAME HIS TURN TO RETALIATE, IT WOULD BE ON A SUSTAINED BASIS. 4. QTE - NASSER SAID THAT UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, ALTHOUGH HE WAS STILL IN FAVOR OF A PEACEFUL SOLUTION AS WERE THE SOVS, NEVERTHELESS HE WOULD NOT NOW HAVE TO BARGAIN FROM A POSITION OF WEAKNESS AS HAD BEEN THE CASE. UNQTE. 5. FOLLOWING IS EXCERPT ANDERSON'S CONVERSATION WITH KAISSOUNI. 6. QTE - KAISSOUNI ASKED ME IF I HAD THE SAME VIEW I HAD ONCE EXPRESSED -- THAT THE ISRAELIS WOULD PROBABLY MAINTAIN HILITARY SUPERIORITY FOR QUITE A WHILE DUE TO THEIR SUPERIOR TRAINING -- AND WHEN I REPLIED THAT I STILL DID, HE REPLIED, $ WHAT IF WE GET LARGE-SCALE MILITARY ASSISTANCE FROM TRAINED PROFESSIONAL ON THE OUTSIDE?" I REPLIED BY SAYING OF COURSE IF THIS ASSISTANCE WAS FORTHCOMING IN SUFFICIENT BODY, IT COULD CHANGE THE WHOLE MILI- TARY POSITION IN THE MIDDLE EAST. KAISSOUNI SAID, "THAT IS EXECTLY WHAT I THINK WE WILL DO. I THINK IN A VERY SHORT TIME WE WILL BE MORE THAN A MATCH FOR ISRAEL. W THIS STATEMENT TOOK ON ADDED SIGNI- FICANCE IN VIEW OF MY SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS WITH NASSER WHICH ARE REPORTED SEPARATELY. UNQTE. PORTER BT Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE WH 14 Department of State UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET R 1051322 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 4024Q TO SECSTATE WASHDC 168 BT 1970 APR 15 AM 9 32 SECRET BEIRUT 2959 NODIS SUBJ: M- 1 RIFLES FOR LEBANESE ARMY '70 APR 15 1) IN THE TEN DAYS SINCE MY RETURN, I HAVE NOT RAISED SUBJECT OF EARLIER LEBANESE REQUEST FOR RIFLES BECAUSE (A) I WANTED TO TEST SINCERITY OF LEBANESE INTENTIONS AND (B) I WAS HOPING FOR FURTHER GUIDANCE FROM WASHINGTON. SITUATION HOUSE ROOM WHITE 2) TODAY CAPRIL 14) CIC. GENERAL NOUJAIM SUMMONED DATT TO DISCUSS SUBJECT OF RIFLES. NOUJAIM SAID IT ESSENTIAL GET AN ANSWER QUICKLY SINCE VILLAGE LEADERS IN SOUTH LEBANON WERE DEMANDING WEAPONS FOR VILLAGE DEFENSE, AND LEBANESE ARMY WOULD HAVE TO RESPOND. NASSER, HE SAID, HAD MADE OFFER THREE MONTHS AGO TO PROVIDE LEBANON ALL THE SMALL ARMS IT NEEDED IN THE SOUTH AT NO COST. LEBANESE DUCKING THIS OFFER BUT ARE AFRAID PRESSURES WILL MOUNT UNLESS ANOTHER SOURCE OF SUPPLY QUICKLY FOUND. NOUJAIVDADMITTED THAT HE HOPED ARMS WOULD BE USED BY VILLAGERS TO KEEP OUT FEDAYEEN. SINCE CAIRO AGREEMENT MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ARMY TO ACT DIRECTLY AGAINST FEDAYEEN WITHOUT PRECIPITATING MAJOR INTERNAL DISTURBANCES, IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT VILLAGERS BE ABLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES. IF FEDAYEEN ATTACKED VILLAGES THIS OF COURSE WOULD GIVE ARMY PRECTXT TO PUT PRESSURE ON FEDAYEEN. 3) DATT TOLD NOUJAIM THAT WE HAD BEEN LOOKING INTO AVAILABILITY M-1'S. THEY WERE AVAILABLE BUT THERE WAS A PROBLEM OF RECONDI- TIONING, AND WE HOPED HAVE ANSWER FOR HIM SHORTLY. HE ADDED THAT USG UNABLE PROVIDE RIFLES AS GIFT, BUT HOPED WE COULD SELL AT NOMINAL PRICE. 4) COMMENT: GOL CLEARLY GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO ARM SOUTHERN VILLAGERS. UNDERSTANDABLY LEBANESE PREFER NOT TO GIVE NASSER THE CREDIT. I REPEAT MY EARLIER ENDORSEMENT FOR A FAVORABLE USG RESPONSE TO LEBANESE ARMYS REQUEST FOR M-1 RIFLES, AND HOPE ARRANGEMENTS CAN SHORTLY BE WORKED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH MY RECENT DISCUSSIONS IN WASHINGTON, I.E., THAT A DEAL BE COMPLETELY OVERT TRANSACTION AS FAR AS LEBANESE ARMY CONCERNED, BUT THAT UNIT PRICE BE ADJUSTED DOWNWARD AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. IDEALLY, THE M-1'S SHOULD BE SOLD AT A "SCRAP-VALUE" PORTER PRICE. THE FACT THAT THEY ARE USEABLE WEAPONS WOULD BE FORTUITOUS. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED THE STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET WH-11 0 0910002 APR 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 127 70 APR AM BT CN-2388Q SITUATE HOUSEM WHITE HOUSE SECRE T BEIRUT 2774 April 9, 1970 NODIS 5:54 a.m. 1. ROBERT ANDERSON HAD LONG MEETING YESTERDAY WITH KING HUSSEIN WHICH HE SUMMARIZING AND REPORTING SEPARATELY. ANDERSON ASKED ME TO TRANSMIT FOLLOWING INFORMATION WHICH HUSSEIN GAVE HIM ST IN STRICTIST CONFIDENCE. a игс CEIAED 2. HUSSEIN SAID HE HAS RELIABLE INFORMATION THAT IRAQIS PLANNING ATTACK ON TWO GERMAN TANKERS AT ABADAN IN FUTURE. HUSSEIN SAID TANKERS WERE FLYING IRANIAN FLAG. HE DID NOT KNOW WHETHER THEY WERE NOW IN PORT OR THE NATURE OF THE SABOTAGE ATTEMPT, BUT WANTED INFORMATION PASSED ON IMMEDIATELY TO USG FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION. 3. DEPARTMENT PASS INTERESTED POSTS AS APPROPRIATE. PORTER BT NNNN DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12958, as amended, Sect 3.5 8-4-2009 By P.H NARA, Date 10.22.09 SECRET CP.10(1] Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. 11 DEPARTMENT DEP OF By STATE Separtment of State WH UNITED STATES OF TELEGRAM SECRET 0 R 062132Z APR 70 IN CONTROL: 14540 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT RECD: April 6, 1970 TO RUEHCR/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0108 6:18 P.M. INFO RUEHCR/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 3824 RUEHCR/USINT CAIRO 0999 RUEHCR/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 2320 RUEHCR/AMEMBASSY JIDDA 2614 RUEHCR/AMEMBASSYKUWAIT 1621 BT SECRE T BEIRUT 2685 NODIS 1. ANY OFFICIAL U.S. VISITOR TO BEIRUT WILL CREATE OPPORTUNITY FOR ANTI-AMERICAN PROPANGANDA CAMPAIGN IN PART RADICALS AND SOME PALESTINIAN GROUPS. I DO NOT BELIEVE HOWEVER THAT LEBANESE WILL ALLOW SECURITY SITUATION TO GET OUT OF HAND, OR THAT FEDAYEEN WILL USE OCCASION OF SISCO VISIT TO ATTEMPT TO CHALLENGE LEBANESE AUTHORITY. WE HAVE HAD NO INDICATION FROM HELOU THAT HE IS CONCERNED ENOUGH TO QUESTION WHETHER VISIT SHOULD OCCUR. 2. ISOLATED INCIDENTS ARE ALWAYS POSSIBLE, BUT WE WOULD TRY AVOID PUBLICIZING ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIMES, AS WELL AS SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS TIMES IN BEIRUT. SECURITY SITUATION IN CITY IS MUCH BETTER AT MOMENT AND WE HAVE NO INDICATION IT WILL DETERIORITE IN NEAR FUTURE. 3. WE WILL FACE COMPARABLE THREATS IN FUTURE WITH REGARD TO ANY PROPOSED VISIT OF U.S. OFFICIALS. IF WE ACCEPT THREATS AT FACE VALUE, ANY CHANCE OF DIALOGUE WITH ARABS IS FINISHED. I BELIEVE RISKS ARE MININAL, AND THAT SISCO TRIP TO AREA IS IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO TEST CURRENT ARAB VIEWS. LEBANESE STOP-OVER IS LESS IMPORTANT THAN CAIRO OR AMMAN, BUT MONETHELESS NECESSARY TO BUTTER SAGGING LEBANESE MORALE. IF SISCO SEEING NASSER, THIS WILL SERVE TO EASE SITUATION HERE, AND REDUCE SECURITY RISK. 4, PREDICTALLY, FEDAYEEN WILL CHARGE SISCO WITH CONSPIRACY AFTER THE FACT, BUT THIS IS NOW PAR FOR THE COURSE. IF WE WORRY UNDULY ABOUT THIS TYPE OF DENIGRATION, WE WILL SOON FIND OURSELVES EXCLUDED FROM THE ARAB WORLD. 5. WE WILL OF COURSE WATCH SITUATION CLOSELY, AND REPORT ANY DEVELOPMENTS WHICH COULD ALTER ABOVE JUDGEMENT. PORTER BT PASSED AMMAN, CAIRO, TEL AVIV, JIDDA AND KUWAIT BY OC/T. 4-6-70 SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT of OF & STATE 13 Department of State STATES STATE UNING AMERICA TELEGRAM OF SECRET o 291104Z MAR 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT INCN: 7366Q TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 054 MARCH 29, 1970 BT 6:41 A.M. SE C R E T BEIRUT 2473 NODIS REF STATE'S 45899 AND 45900 INFORM DUTY OFFICER 090ø HOURS MARCH 29 FOR AMBASSADOR PORTER SAW KHOURY THIS MORNING MARCH 29 AND INFORMED HIM CONTENTS REFTELS STRESSING URGENCY AND NECESSITY MAKE DECISION SOONEST. HE MOST APPRECIATIVE DEPARTMENT'S AND YOUR EFFORTS. ADVISED KHOURY COL. BRUDER REQUESTING APPOINTMENT WITH GENERAL NAUJAIM AND ASKED HE OR OTHER SENIOR OFFICIAL CALL NAUJOUM TO EMPHASIZE IMPORTANCE HIS SEEING BRUDER THIS WEEKEND. HE AGREED DO SO. JUST INFORMED NAUJAIM SEEING BRUDER 1300 LOCAL TIME. ALTHOUGH I GAVE KHOURY DETAILS PROPOSED, FEEL FAR BETTER FOR FORMAL PRESENTATION BE MADE BETWEEN NAUJAIM AND BRUDER, SO THAT TECHNICAL ASPECTS PROPOSAL CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD BY GOL. KHOURY MOST INTERESTED IN TERMS OF 120 DAY PAYMENT AFTER DELIVERY EQUIPMENT WITH SUBSEQUENT PROSPECT CREDIT (I MADE ALL THE CAVEATS) AS HE REPEATED WHAT HE HAS TOLD US BEFORE GOL HAS NO MONEY. ACCORDING KHOURY, ARMY HAS USED UP RESERVES AND "60 MILLION LEBANESE POUND FUND" HAS BEEN ALMOST USED UP IN SOUTH FOR FORTIFICATIONS, SHELTERS, INDEMNITIES ETC. INDICATED WOULD REQUEST PARLIAMENTARY CREDIT BUT CONCERNED AT PROSPECT FACING QUERIES FROM DEPUTIES AS TO WHY GOL PUTTING ALL EGGS IN WESTERN BASKET AND NOT ACCEPTING SOVIET OFFERS. SAID PROBLEM FURTHER COMPLICATED BY FACT SHIITE MUFTI MUSA BADR DURING RECENT VISIT TO CAIRO SAW PRESIDENT NASSER WHO OFFERED SUPPLY ALL LIGHT ARMS NEEDED FOR SOUTH. INFORMED HIM RIFLE PROBLEM STILL BEING DISCUSSED IN WASHINGTON. DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT CREDIT TERMS LIKELY BE? BELIEVE THIS ALL WE CAN DO FOR MOMENT. GRATEFUL YOUR MESSAGE AS GOL BEEN ANXIOUSLY AWAITING FURTHER WORD OUR POSITION. NEEDLESS TO SAY THEIR ANXIETY HAS INCREASED AS A RESULT RECENT EVENTS. ALL THE BEST. HOUGHTON BT SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. UNITED DEPARTMENT STATES OF STATE * WH 13 Department of State TELEGRAM OF SECRET, R 181510Z MAR 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9938 1970 MAR PM 39 PM 07 5 BT SECRET BEIRUT 2149 SITUA WHITE 6 ONROOM HOUSE NODIS 2:49 49 SUBJECT: ARMS FOR LEBANON REF: STATE 037919 1. AMBASSADOR SAW REFTEL BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE MARCH 16 AND WILL DISCUSS IN DETAIL DURING HIS FORTHCOMING CONSULTATION IN WASHINGTON. MEANTIME, WE WOULD LIKE TO OFFER CLARIFICATION ON FEW OF POINTS RAISED. 2. PRESIDENT HELOU IS MUCH AWARE AND APPRECIATIVE OF EFFORTS MADE TO MAKE AVAILABLE SALES TO GOL OF 6,000 M-14 RIFLES. HIS PROBLEM HOWEVER AS WE HAVE POINTED OUT IS MONEY. AS FAR AS TRANSPORT OF THE M-1 RIFLES IS CONCERNED, GENERAL NOUJAIM IN HIS INITIAL TALK WITH THE AMBASSADOR MADE CLEAR THAT GOL WOULD HANDLE DELIVERY FROM US TO LEBANON (BEIRUT 1350). THESE RIFLES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SOUGHT FOR PURPOSE OF ARMING THE SOUTHERN VILLAGERS. AS WE HAVE REPORTED, THE PUBLIC IS DEMANDING THAT BORDER VILLAGES BE ARMED. THE GOL WILL SIMPLY BE SELECTIVE ABOUT WHICH VILLAGE. HOUGHTON SEGRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. AMERICA UNITED of STATE OF DEPARTMENT Department of State TELEGRAM STATES OF SECRET, // 3955Q R 161610Z MAR 70 MAR 16, 1970 3:09 PM FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9913 BT SECRE T BEIRUT 2070 NODIS REF: STATE 37959 SUBJ: POUIFAPE USG CONTACTS WITH FEDAYEEN AMBASSADOR PORTER WILL DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF CONTACTS WITH THE FEDAYEEN DURING HIS PERIOD OF CONSULTATION IN THE DEPARTMENT, PROBABLY BEGINNING MARCH 23. HOUGHTON BT NNNN SECRET, Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Do WH Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN TELEGRAM SECRET 12 PP 111702Z MAR 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT Control: 2663Q TO SECSTATE PRIORITY 9871 BT Recd : 11 Mar 70 SE C R E T BEIRUT 1933 1:21 p.m. REF: STATE 27912 NODIS 1. THINK FAVORABLE US RESPONSE LEBANESE REQUEST FOR GIFT OF M-1 RIFLES OR CARBINES WOULD HAVE A PARTICULARLY SALUTARY EFFECT AT THIS MOMENT. POLITICAL PLUS TO USG IN BOLSTERING LEBANESE BACKBONE WOULD FAR OFFSET THE COST. PERHAPS WE COULD FIND COVERT WAY TO SUBSIDIZE THE DEAL, IF THERE NO OTHER FEASIBLE SOLUTION. 2. I CAN UNDERSTAND DEPARTMENT'S PUZZLEMENT OVER APPARENT INABILITY LEBANESE TO PROCURE M-1'S COMMERCIALLY. WE KNOW LEB- ANESE ARMY IS AWARE OF AVAILABILITY AND PRICE IN OPEN MARKET. I CANNOT HONESTLY SAY THAT LEBANESE CANNOT AFFORD TO DO SO. THEY TELL ME CONSTANTLY AND CONSISTENTLY THEY ARE STRAPPED AND THAT NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE WHICH ARE NOT ALREADY PROGRAMMED OR COMMITTED FOR OTHER ITEMS. I CAN ONLY ACCEPT THIS STATEMENT AT FACE VALUE. 3. APART FROM PRACTICAL END USE OF RIFLES, WHAT PRES HELOU AND GEN NOUJAIM REALLY WANT FROM USG AT THIS POINT IS A VOTE OF CON- FIDENCE AND A PSYCHOLOGICAL BOOST. I THINK THEY VIEW THIS RE- QUEST ABOVE ALL IN THAT LIGHT. PORTER BT '70 MAR 11 PM 4:35 35 SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE SECRET Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF PA STATE Lebron Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN TELEGRAM SECRET FEB 12 P 201051Z FEB 70 20 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT Control: 4775Q TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9718 PM BT Recd : 20 Feb 70 ITUA ITUATION TION ROOM WHITE house SECRET BEIRUT 1350 10:22 a.m. NODIS 30 REF: BEIRUT 1104 1. SINCE DISPATCH REFTEL WE HAVE HAD SPECIFIC REQUESTS DIRECTLY FROM PRES HELOU AS WELL AS FROM MICHEL KHOURY AND COMMANDER-IN -CHIEF GEN NOUJAIM, REQUESTING A US GRANT OF SMALL ARMS WITH WHICH LEBANESE ARMY CAN EQUIP LOYAL SOUTHERN VILLAGES. RATIONALE OF HELOU'S REQUEST CONTAINED IN MEMCOM HIS CONVERSATION WITH LINCOLN FEB 9 (POUCHED TO SEELYE FEB 13). NOUJAIM REAFFIRMED THE REQUEST TO ME AGAIN TODAY AT HELOU'S BIDDING, ASKING SPECIFICALLY FOR 5,000 WEAPONS. 2. I HAVE REITERATED TO ALL CONCERNED THE LEGAL LIMITATIONS ON US GRANT MILITARY AID AND HAVE MADE CLEAR THAT THE REQUEST WOULD BE DIFFICULT FOR USG TO RESPOND To, NO MATTER HOW FAVORABLY WE MIGHT VIEW IT IN PRINCIPLE. LEBANESE HAVE STRESSED URGENCY OF ASSISTANCE, AND HAVE ASKED THAT THIS SPECIFIC REQUEST FOR US SUPPORT BE GIVEN SPECIAL CONSIDERATION IN WASHINGTON. FRANKLY I THINK HELOU VIEWS THE MATTER AS MUCH IN PSYCHOLOGICAL AS IN FINANCIAL TERMS. HE WANTS AND NEEDS THE REASSURANCE OF A TANGIBLE US GESTURE, AND HE CAN'T BELIEVE THAT WE UNABLE TO FIND A WAY TO DO IT. 3. NOUJAIM INFORMED ME TODAY THAT HE NOW ESTIMATES THERE AT LEAST 50,000 WEAPONS IN LEBANON IN THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO DON'T SUP- PORT THE GOVERNMENT. THE REQUESTED GIFT OF 5,000 WORLD WAR II RIFLES MAY NOT GO FAR IN REDRESSING THIS IMBALANCE, BUT HELOU AND THE ARMY FEEL IT WOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN STIF- FENING THE RESISTANCE OF THE SOUTH LEBANESE TO AVOID FEDAYEEN TAKEOVER OF THE AREA - A TAKEOVER WHICH THE ARMY CAN'T OPENLY RE- SIST. NOUJAIM WAS EMPHATIC THAT THIS WAS AN ANTI-FEDAYEEN MEASURE. IT WOULD OBVIOUSLY HAVE, HE EMPHASIZED, NO EFFECT WHATSOEVER ON ISRAEL, EXCEPT THAT IT MIGHT DENY SOME PORTIONS OF THE BORDER TO FEDAYEEN USE. 4. NOUJAIM WOULD ENVISION, IF US PREPARED TO OFFER WEAPONS, THAT LEBANESE ARMY WOULD ACCEPT THEM AS GIFT AND WOULD MAKE OWN AR- RANGEMENTS FOR TRANSPORT FROM US TO LEBANON. LEBANESE ARMY WOULD THEN MAKE ITS OWN DECISIONS ON DISTRIBUTION OF WEAPONS AND THE US WOULD NOT BE INVOLVED. HE WOULD HOPE WE COULD ALSO PROVIDE MODEST AMOUNT OF AMMUNITION AS ONETIME ARRANGEMENT. LEBANON WOULD SUB- SEQUENTLY BE ABLE SECURE AMMUNITION ON ITS OWN. NOUJAIM HAD NO Reproduce the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2- Beirut 1350, 20 Feb 70 Control: 4775Q PREFERENCE FOR M-1 CARBINE OVER RIFLE, STIPULATING ONLY THAT HE WOULD HOPE TO STANDARDIZE ON ONE OR TWO TYPES. HE WAS NOT CON- CERNED THAT M-1 NOT AS JAZZY AS KALASHNIKOV WHICH FEDAYEEN, MAINLY SAIQA, ARE PASSING ON TO THEIR SUPPORTERS IN LEBANON, BUT FELT THAT GIFT OF ANY RELIABLE WEAPON TO SOUTHERN LEBANESE WOULD CEMENT THE RELATIONSHIP WITH LEBANESE ARMY WHICH GOL HOPES TO ATTAIN. 5. COMMENT: I THINK THE LEBANESE PROPOSAL TO ARM SELECTED LOYAL SOUTHERN VILLAGES IS A GOOD ONE, PARTICULARLY AS ONE VIEWS PATTERN OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN JORDAN. THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL PUBLIC DEMAND FOR SUCH MEASURES (ALTHOUGH OF COURSE OSTENSIBLY FOR PROTECTION AGAINST ISRAELI ATTACK), AND EVEN THE RADICALS COULD NOT PUBLICLY OBJECT. IT IS, OF COURSE, ONLY A HALF-MEASURE AND WILL NOT HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON THE UNHAPPY INTERNAL SITUATION IN LEBANON. BUT IT IS BETTER THAN NOTHING. THE COST TO THE USG SHOULD BE MINIMAL SINCE WE ARE CONSIDERING ONLY WEAPONS WHICH I PRESUME ARE SURPLUS TO PRESENT U.S. REQUIREMENTS. I RECOMMEND FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION OF THE REQUEST, ABOVE ALL FOR THE PSYCHO- LOGICAL BOOST IT WILL GIVE TO HELOU AND THE LEBANESE ARMY. I THINK HELOU VIEWS THIS REQUEST AS SOMETHING BIGGER THAN THE AP- PARENT VALUE OF THE ASSISTANCE ITSELF. IT IS, IN HIS MIND, A RE- QUEST FOR ASSURANCE THAT HE HAS NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN. 6. I, OF COURSE, MADE NO COMMITMENTS AND HAVE SIMPLY INFORMED LEBANESE I HAVE ASKED WASHINGTON FOR URGENT CONSIDERATION. PORTER BT Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. WH OF STATE DEPA LEB Department of State UNITED STATES TELEGRAM OF SECRET 12 R 091724Z FEB 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 1965Q TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9663 1970 FEB 9 PM 1:08 BT S ECRET BEIRUT 1104 NODIS REF: BEIRUT A-55 FOR SISCO-NEA Wd 6 FEE OL. SUBJ: GOL REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FOR SOUTH LEBANON SITUATION HOUSE ROOM WHITE 1) IN CONVERSATION ON FEB 3, MICHEL KHOURY RETURNED TO QUESTION US ASSISTANCE SOUTH LEBANON. HE SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED US PROVIDE RIFLES OR CARBINES AS GRANT 5 TO LEBANESE ARMY. ARMY WOULD IN TURN GRADUALLY DISTRIBUTE THOSE OR OTHER SMALL ARMS TO CERTAIN TRUSTED CHRISTIAN AND SHIA VILLAGERS IN SOUTH LEBANON TO BE USED OSTENSIBLY FOR BORDER DEFENSE, BUT IN FACT TO PROVIDE POINTS OF RESISTANCE AGAINST FEDAYEEN. 2) THE ARMY KNOWS WELL WHICH VILLAGERS AND CLANS CAN BE COUNTED ON, SAID KHOURY, AND WILL DERIVE SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT IN ITS EFFORTS CONTROL FEDAYEEN ACTIVITY THROUGH PROVIDING MEANS FOR SOUTHERNERS TO STAND OFF FEDAYEEN ATTEMPTING UTILIZE VILLAGES AS BASES. KHOURY SAID SYRIAN BACKED SAIQA WERE ALREADY DISTRIBUTING WEAPONS TO SOME LEBANESE IN SOUTH, CONCENTRATING ON AREAS OF STRONG BAATH PARTY MEMBERSHIP. OTHER LEFTIST GROUPS WERE FOLLOWING SUIT, WITH RESULT THAT "PRO-LEBANESE" SOUTHERNERS WERE BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONCERNED AND ALIENATED FROM GOL, WHICH SEEMED BE DOING NOTHING FOR THEM. 3) KHOURY'S REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE WAS ALSO IN CONTEXT OF CONVERSATION WHICH (A) STATED BLUNTLY THAT ARMY AND LEBANESE TREASURY IN MOST DIFFICULT FINANCIAL STRAITS, AND (B) STRESSED NEED FOR MORALE BOOST TO ARMY AND GOL FROM WESTERN FRIENDS INTERESTED IN LEBANON'S SECURITY. HE SUGGESTED THAT PERHAPS EVEN ISRAELIS WOULD SUPPORT SUCH A US GRANT. HE ORIGINALLY ASKED FOR MODERN AUTOMATIC WEAPONS, BUT I SAID THIS WAS CLEARLY OUT OF QUESTION. HE THEN SAID ANY EFFECTIVE WORLD WAR II RIFLE OR CARBINE WOULD BE RECEIVED WITH GRATITUDE. IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE, HE FELT SURE, TO KEEP ARRANGEMENTS CONFIDENTIAL, BUT IN ANY CASE US GRANT WOULD BE TO LEBANESE ARMY AND WHAT ARMY DID WITH IT SHOULD NOT CAUSE POLITICAL DISADVANTAGE TO US. I SAID I HAD NO IDEA WHETHER RIFLES OR Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2- BEIRUT 1104, FEBRUARY 9 (NODIS) CARBINES WERE AVAILABLE, AND BEFORE WE DISCUSSED MATTER FURTHER, YWOULD PREFER TO QUERY WASHINGTON FOR POLICY GUADANCE. 4) COMMENT: I RECOMMEND FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION OF THIS REQUEST. IT SHOULD COST US VERY LITTLE AND WOULD PRODUCE SUBSTANTIAL RETURNS. GOL AND NEW CIC GEN NOUJAIM ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO KEEP THE FEDAYEEN OFF BALANCE AND TO DISCOURAGE INFILTRATION INTO ISRAEL. A TANGIBLE EVIDENCE OF US SUPPORT WOULD GO FAR TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTINUE AND STRENGTHEN THEIR EFFORTS AGAINST FEDAYEEN. SUGGEST DEPT TAKE NO FINAL ACTION UNTIL I DISCUSS WITH PRES HELOU. PORTER DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed to Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. Reproduced at SECRE esi dential Library. AMERICA CHING * to STATE OF WIT Department of State TELEGRAM STATES or 8 SECRET GER/5 R 101208Z FEB 70 002179 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9666 FEB 10 8:12 AM 1970 BT SECRET BEIRUT 1117 NODIS DEPT PASS ACTION AMEMBASSY JIDDA FOR AMBASSADOR FROM F.B. LINCOLN ACCEPT WITH THANKS USE OF RESIDENCE DURING STAY MARCH 3 PLEASE CANCEL JIDDA PALACE. PORTER BT MA AND 01 837 изс BECEINED NOTE: NOT PASSED JIDDA BY OC/T SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE 12 Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET R 120010Z JUN 71 CONTROL: 3755Q FM SECSTATE WASHDC 12 Jun'71, 8:10PM TO RUESBE/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0575 RUEHDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8179 INFO RUFNRS/USINT ALGIERS 3327 RUESKG/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 896Ø RUESGU/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 2234 RUESAT/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 6777 RUESRB/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 5657 RUFHOL/AMEMBASSY BONN 3991 RUFHBS/AMEMBASSY brussels 6991 RUEIVC/USINT CAIRO 8248 RUESAR/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 6318 RUQVRA/AMEMBASSY JIDDA 7239 RUESJR/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 213ø RUEHCR/USINT KHARTOUM 2258 RUQVKW/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 3994 RUDTCR/AMEMBASSY LONDON 9958 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 4236 RUQVHN/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 2641 RUFNCR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0754 SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE RUESBT/AMEMBASSY RABAT 8742 '71 JUN 12 AM 10: 04 RUFHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 3524 RUQVAN/AMEMBASSY TEHRAN 8385 RUESAD/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 9883 RUEIKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 4333 RUESTI/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 4472 RUESKR/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 9203 RUFHNA/USMISSION NATO 0054 BT SECRET SECTION 1 OF 5 STATE 104750/1 NODIS SUBJ: CALL ON ASST. SECY. SISCO BY LEBANESE UN AMBASSADOR 1. SUMMARY. LEBANESE AMBASSADOR AT UN GHORRA, ACCOMPANIED BY LEBANESE AMBASSADOR KABBANI, PAID A COURTESY CALL ON SISCO ON JUNE 10 DURING A VISIT TO WASHINGTON. SISCO GAVE HIM A TOUR D'HORIZON OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. SISCO SAID WE ARE ENCOURAGED AS A RESULT OF THE SECRETARY'S TRIP. WE WERE ABLE TO CONVEY SOME POSITIVE IDEAS ON BEHALF OF THE ISRAELIS TO SADAT FOR HIS CONSIDERATION SADAT SAID THAT THESE IDEAS WERE VERY USEFUL AND THAT NOW HE KNOWS WHAT THE ISRAELIS WANT RATHER THAN WHAT THEY DON'T WANT. SISCO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. ECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2- 104750 SECTION 1 OF 5, JUNE 12, 1971 (NODIS) THE RECENT SOVIET/UAR TREATY IS A COMPLICATING FACTOR IN THE ME. HE AND GHORRA AGREED THAT THE SOVIET/UAR TREATY DOESN'T ALTER FUNDAMENTALLY THE FACT THAT MUCH WILL DEPEND ON WHAT PRO- GRESS OCCURS IN THE COMING weeks AND MONTHS. WE HAVE NEVER ASSUMED THAT ANY SETTLEMENT IN THE ME IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE SOVIET UNION, NOTED SISCO. furthermore, ONLY IN CIRCUMSTANCES OF A GENUINE OVERALL POLITICAL SETTLEMENT CAN THERE BE HOPE FOR NEUTRALIZING AND THEREBY LESSENING SOVIET INFLUENCE. COMMENTING ON DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN'S JUNE 9 STATEMENT ON JERUSALEM AND OCCUPIED TERRITORIES, SISCO REITERATED OUR CONSTANT POSITION SINCE 1967. WE DON'T WANT OUR ARAB FRIENDS TO THINK THAT WE ACCEPT WHAT THE ISRAELIS ARE DOING. ON THE SECRETARY'S RECENT TRIP WE RECORDED WITH THE ISRAELIS OUR DIS- SATISFACTION WITH THEIR RESPONSE TO JARRING. WE WERE ABLE TO GET FROM THEM POSITIVE IDEAS ABOUT AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT. ON THE SUBJECT OF A POSSIBLE SC MEETING ON JERUSALEM, WE FEEL THAT JORDAN AND LEBANON SHOULD NOT CALL FOR AN SC MEETING. SISCO, AFTER EXPRESSING HIS CONCERN OVER THE ARMS SITUATION IN THE ME, SAID WE HAVE NEVER HAD A BETTER OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACE IN THE ME AND WE MUST NOT lose IT. END SUMMARY. 2. MR. SISCO OPENED THE CONVERSATION BY REFLECTING THAT much HAS HAPPENED SINCE HIS TRIP TO THE MIDDLE EAST. WE ARE ENCOUR- AGED AS A RESULT OF THE TRIP. WE were ABLE TO CONVEY some IDEAS ON BEHALF OF THE ISRAELIS TO SADAT FOR HIS CONSIDERATION. SADAT SAID THAT THESE IDEAS WERE VERY USEFUL AND THAT NOW HE knows WHAT THE ISRAELIS WANT RATHER THAN WHAT THEY DON'T WANT. SADAT SAID he DID NOT WANT TO SACRIFICE CLARITY FOR speed. HE ALSO WANTED TO AVOID A SOURCE OF MISUNDERSTANDING WITH THE UNITED STATES AND SAID HE WANTS TO IMPROVE HIS RELATIONS WITH US. SADAT INDICATED THAT HE INTENDS TO RESUME DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES IF EGYPT AND ISRAEL REACH AN INTERIM AGREEMENT for THE REOPENING OF SUEZ. SISCO COMMENTED THAT THE us HAS PLACED NO CONDITIONS ON RECOGNITION AND THAT WE ARE PLANNING TO: 1) INCREASE THE SIZE OF OUR DIPLOMATIC ESTABLISHMENTS IN EACH COUNTRY; 2) SEE ABOUT RESCHEDULING OUR DEBT WITH THE UAR; AND 3) CONSULT CLOSELY ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST. 3. TURNING TO DEVELOPMENTS IN EGYPT, SISCO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE RECENT SOVIET/UAR TREATY IS A COMPLICATING FACTOR. HE SAID THAT IT IS EASY BOTH TO OVER-DRAMATIZE ITS SIGNIFICANCE AND TO UNDER-ESTIMATE IT. WE ARE AVOIDING EITHER EXTREME. SISCO SAID THAT WHAT THE TREATY MEANS WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE EVOLUTION OF POLITICS IN EGYPT, BY PROGRESS ON THE QUESTION OF OVERALL SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE ARABS AND ISRAELIS, AND BY THE PLAY OF ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS FOR AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT. HE STRESSED THAT WE DO NOT YET know THE LONG RUN IMPLOCATIONS OF THIS TREATY. WE ARE RESERVING JUDGMENT ON THE TREATY WHEREAS OTHERS, PARTICULARLY THE SOVIETS AND TO A LESSER EXTENT THE EGYPTIANS, HAVE ALREADY DRAWN FAR-REACHING CONCLUSIONS. SISCO COMMENTED SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -3- STATE 104750 SECTION 10F 5, JUNE 12, 1971 (NODIS) THAT THE TREATY MUST NATURALLY CONCERN MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES such AS LEBANON. IN sum, SISCO SAID THAT WE SHOULD RESERVE JUDGMENT RATHER THAN TRY TO DISCUSS WHERE THE ARAB WORLD WANTS TO GO OR SHOULD GO. 4. COMMENTING ON MESSAGES RECEIVED FROM SADAT SINCE THE CONDLU- SION OF THE TREATY, SISCO NOTED: (A) THERE HAS been NO ALTER- ATION OF THE US/EGYPTIAN DIALOGUE; (B) THE UNITED STATES IS CONTINUING TO PLAY A role IN THE INTERIM SETTLEMENT; (C) SADAT HAS TAKEN NOTHING BACK OF WHAT HE SAID TO THE SECRETARY AND TO SISCO DURING THEIR TRIP TO THE MIDDLE EAST; THEREFORE EGYPT IS STILL INTERESTED IN AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT. 5. SISCO SAID WE MUST look AT WHAT EGYPT'S INTERESTS ARE. SADAT ACTED WITH DISPATCH IN A MAJOR CHALLENGE TO HIS AUTHORITY. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF REFURBISHING BOTH THE ARAB SOCIALIST UNION AND HIS POSITION. WE THINK THIS IS A DESIRABLE STANCE: FOR EGYPT TO THINK IN TERMS OF ITS OWN INTEREST. SISCO SAID HE HAS BEEN STRUCK BY THE FACT THAT SADAT HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE DEDICATED TO A SOLUTION OF THE problem OF THE MIDDLE EAST BY PEACEFUL MEANS. 6. COMMENTING ON THE UAR/SOVIET TREATY SISCO EXPRESSED VIEW BT SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State OF STATES UNITED AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET R 120010Z JUN 71 FM. SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUESBE/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0576 RUEHDT/USMISSION usun NEW YORK 818Ø INFO RUFNRS/USINT ALGIERS 3328 RUESKG/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 8961 3764Q RUESGU/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 2235 RUESAT/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 6778 June 11, 8:10 PM 1971 RUESRB/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 5658 RUFHOL/AMEMBASSY BONN 3992 RUFHBS/AMEMBASSY brussels 6992 RUEIVC/USINT CAIRO 8249 RUESAR/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 6319 RUQVRA/AMEMBASSY JIDDA 724Ø RUESJR/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 2131 RUEHCR/USINT KHARTOUM 2259 RUQVKW/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 3995 RUDTCR/AMEMBASSY LONDON 9959 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY moscow 4237 RUQVHN/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 2642 RUFNCR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0755 RUESBT/AMEMBASSY RABAT 8743 RUFHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 3525 RUQVAN/AMEMBASSY TEHRAN 8386 RUESAD/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 9884 RUEIKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 4334 RUESTI/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 4473 RUESKR/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 92Ø4 RUFHNA/USMISSION NATO 0055 BT SECRE T SECTION 2 OF 5 STATE 104750/2 NODIS THE TREATY IS BASICALLY A SOVIET MOVE. THE SOVIETS were GETTING CONCERNED over MEASURES WHICH SADAT HAD TAKEN INTERNALLY, AS WELL AS over THE ACTIVE role WHICH AMERICAN DIPLOMACY HAS PLAYED IN THE MIDDLE EAST DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS. A LEGITIMATE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST IS NOT ACHIEVABLE IF THE UNITED STATES PURSUES THE OBJECTIVES OF ONLY ONE SIDE. 7. WE HAVE NEVER ASSUMED THAT ANY SETTLEMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE SOVIET UNION, NOTED SISCO. THE PRESENCE OF THE SOVIETS IS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE MIDDLE EASTERN PICTURE. THE SOVIETS ARE PURSUING A POLITICAL STRATEGY through STRENGTHENING EGYPT MILITARILY. THE SOVIETS, SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2- STATE 104750, SECTION 2 OF 5, JUNE 11, 1971 NOTED SISCO, HAVE A PRESENCE IN EGYPT FAR BEYOND WHAT IS NECES- SARY TO PROVIDE THE UAR A BULWARK AGAINST ISRAEL; THEREFORE, WE CAN ASSUME THAT SOVIET DESIGNS ARE PARAMOUNT IN THEIR POLICY. 8. WHAT'S THE ANSWER TO THE MIDDLE EAST DISPUTE? THE ANSWER MUST BE REACHED IN THE POLITICAL ARENA THROUGH A PEACE AGREEMENT. WE IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE WEST ARE WORKING TO help CREATE CONDITIONS IN WHICH ALL PEOPLE OF THE AREA WILL HAVE FEEDOM OF CHOICE. EGYPT IS INTERESTED IN PURUSING A POLICY OF GENUINE NON-ALIGNMENT. ONLY IN CIRCUMSTANCES OF A GENUINE OVERALL pol- ITICAL SETTLEMENT CAN THERE BE HOPE FOR NEUTRALIZING AND THEREBY LESSENING SOVIET INFLUENCE. SISCO COMMENTED ON THE DIMINUTION IN THE FACE OF CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE LARGE AMERICAN MILITARY PRESENCE ABROAD IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. HE NOTED HOW MUCH EASIER IT IS TO GET THE SOVIET UNION IN THAN OUT. 9. IN sum, SISCO SAID THAT WE WILL RESERVE JUDGMENT RE UAR-USSR TREATY AND PURSUE OUR SEARCH FOR A PEACEFUL SOLUTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THERE WILL BE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO DETERMINE IN THE FUTURE WHETHER EGYPT CAN PURSUE A POLICY ENABLING her TO PURSUE EGYPTIAN INTERESTS. THE UNDERPINNING OF THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE IN EGYPT IS THE ARMY WHICH IS SUPPLIED BY THE SOVIETS. WE DO NOT ACCEPT THE JUDGMENT THAT EGYPT HAS BECOME A SATELLITE; WE WILL WAIT AND SEE HOW MUCH ROOM FOR MANEUVER IT HAS. 10. SISCO TURNED TO THE PROSPECT OF AN INTERIM AGREEMENT IN RELATION TO AN OVERALL PEACE SETTLEMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST. HE SAID THAT SADAT HAD AGREED THAT AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT WOULD IMPROVE THE ATMOSPHERE. BOTH SIDES look ON IT AS A PRACTICAL STEP TOWARD PEACE. SISCO NOTED THE FOLLOWING LIMITATIONS ON AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT: IT CANNOT BECOME AN END IN ITSELF, A NEW PERPETUATION OF ISRAELI OCCUPATION; NOR DOES IT TOUCH jerusalem, THE REFUGEES AND PALESTINIANISM, ALL OF WHICH ARE ASPECTS OF THE MIDDLE EAST DISPUTE WHICH WE MUST NOT FORGET. 11. COMMENTING ON DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN'S JUNE 9 STATEMENT ON JERUSALEM AND OCCUPIED TERRITORIES, SISCO NOTED THAT BOTH JORDAN AND LEBANON HAD SHOWN CONTINUING CONCERN ABOUT ISRAELI ACTIONS IN jerusalem. FURTHERMORE, KING HUSSEIN IS CONCERNED THAT THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT DONT TOUCH HIM--HE IS AFRAID THAT EGYPT WILL GO ITS OWN WAY. SISCO NOTED THAT HE AND THE SECRETARY HAD TAKEN UP THE SUBJECT OF JERUSALEM WITH THE ISRAELIS ON THEIR RECENT VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST. HE TOLD GHORRA THAT LEBANON'S INCREASED CONCERN REFLECTS OUR OWN INCREASED CONCERN PARTICULARLY AS WE FEEL THAT WE CANNOT let DOWN LEBANON AND JORDAN, TWO OF OUR BEST SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET. -3- STATE 104750, SECTION 2 OF 5, JUNE 11, 1971 ARAB FRIENDS. ACKNOWLEDGING THAT DEMARCHES MADE BY us HAVE HAD NO PRACTICAL EFFECT ON jerusalem, SISCO SAID THAT WE ARE KEEPING AT IT LIKE A drop OF WATER ON rock. HE COMMENTED THAT JERUSALEM HAS BEEN MENTIONED AT LEAST SIX TIMES TO THE ISRAELIES WITHIN THE LAST FOUR weeks. ONE POSITIVE RESULT OF THIS HAS BEEN THAT THE ISRAELIS ARE NO LONGER MAKING PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON JERUSALEM, WHICH RUBBED SALT IN THE ARAB WOUNDS. IN SUM, SISCO REITERATED OUR CONSTANT POSITION SINCE 1967. WE DON'T WANT OUR ARAB FRIENDS TO THINK THAT WE ACCEPT WHAT THE ISRAELIS ARE DOING (EVEN IF WE CAN'T reverse WHAT THEY ARE DOING). 12. THE CONVERSATION TURNED TO CURRENT PROSPECTS FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST. SISCO NOTED THAT ON THE SECRETARY'S RECENT VISIT WE HAD RECORDED WITH THE ISRAELIS ONCE AGAIN OUR DISSATISFACTION WITH THEIR RESPONSE TO JARRING. WHILE ADMITTING THAT WE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO CHANGE THEM ON THIS, WE WERE ABLT TO GET FROM THEM POSITIVE IDEAS ABOUT AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT. ISRAELI IDEAS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING: A. AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT should ENTAIL AN OBLIGATION FOR BT SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF MEMBER TELEGRAM SECRET R 12001øz JUN 71 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUESBE/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0577 RUEHDT/USMISSION usun NEW YORK 8181 INFO RUFNRS/USINT ALGIERS 3329 RUESKG/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 8962 3773Q RUESGU/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 2236 June 11, 8:10 PM 1971 RUESAT/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 6779 RUESRB/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 5659 RUFHOL/AMEMBASSY BONN 3993 RUFHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 6993 RUEIVC/USINT CAIRO 8250 RUESAR/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 632Ø RUQVRA/AMEMBASSY JIDDA 7241 RUESJR/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 2132 RUEHCR/USINT KHARTOUM 226Ø RUQVKW/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 3996 RUDTCR/AMEMBASSY LONDON 996ø RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 4238 RUQVHN/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 2643 RUFNCR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0756 RUESBT/AMEMBASSY RABAT 8744 RUFHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 3526 RUQVAN/AMEMBASSY TEHRAN 8387 RUESAD/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 9885 RUEIKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 4335 RUESTI/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 4474 RUESKR/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 9205 RUFHNA/USMISSION NATO ØØ56 BT SECRET SECTION 3 OF 5 STATE 104750/3 NODIS EGYPT TO CLEAR, open AND OPERATE THE CANAL. B. ISRAEL WOULD WITHDRAW X KILOMETERS, THE DISTANCE BEING DEPENDENT UPON WHAT KIND OF A CEASEFIRE THE EGYPTIANS ACCEPT. IF THE EGYPTIANS ACCEPT A CEASE- FIRE WITHOUT A FORMAL DEADLINE, IT WOULD HAVE A SALUTARY EFFECT ON THE SIZE OF THE ZONE EVACUATED BY ISRAEL, AND ON WHAT PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS MIGHT BE ACCEPTABLE TO ISRAEL. SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET, -2- STATE 104750, JUNE 11, 1971 SECTION 3 OF 5 C. ISRAEL WOULD AGREE THAT THE LINE TO WHICH THEY WITHDREW AS PART OF AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT WOULD NOT BE A FINAL FRONTIER BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. SADAT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE- INTERIM AGREEMENT NOT BE FINAL. 13. SISCO SAID THE FOLLOWING ARE AREAS WHERE THERE ARE STILL MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SIDES RE AN INTERIM AGREEMENT: (A) EGYPTIAN INSISTENCE ON CROSSING THE CANAL; (B) THE LENGTH OF HHE CEASEFIRE AND THE NATURE OF THE OELIGATION; (C) ISRAEL'S NATURAL CONCERN AT WHAT POINT THE CANAL WILL BE OPENED TO ISRAELI vessels AS WELL AS TO ISRAELI CARGOES. SISCO NOTED THAT SINCE THE CONCLUSION OF THE SOVIET/UAR TREATY SADAT HAS REITERATED HIS COMMITMENT TO AN INTERIM AGREEMENT. 14. SISCO SAID THAT HE THINKS WE HAVE REACHED THE STAGE IN NEGOTIATIONS LEADING TO AN INTERIM AGREEMENT WHERE WE CAN IDENTIFY POINTS OF AGREEMENT AND PARALLELISM BETWEEN THE PARTIES, AND POINTS ON WHICH THE PARTIES MUST UNDERTAKE NEGOTIATION, ACCOMMODATION, AND CONCESSION. WE BELIEVE THAT BOTH SIDES HAVE PUT FORTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IDEASM BOTH WILL HAVE TO MAKE FURTHER CONCESSIONS IF WE ARE TO ACHIEVE AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT. 15. TURNING TO THE POSIBILITY OF A SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON JERUSALEM, SISCO SAID HE UNDERSTANDS THE problems FACING LEBANON AND JORDAN WHICH MAY OBLIGE THEM TO CALL FOR A SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING. HE SAID, SPEAKING FRANKLY TO GHORRA, THAT WE FEEL JORDAN AND LEBANON SHOULD NOT CALL FOR A SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING. IT IS UNLIKELY TO HAVE PRACTICAL RESULTS. FURTHERMORE, WE DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO VOTE DIFFERENTLY FROM our ARAB FRIENDS. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE TO PROGRESS TOWARD AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT. SISCO POINTED OUT THAT IT WOULD BE VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO LIMIT such A SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING TO JERUSALEM. THE WHOLE MIDDLE EAST WOULD CERTAINLY GET DRAGGED INTO THE DISCUSSION WHICH would PLAY UP TO ANY DELAYING TACTICS THAT FITHER SIDE MIGHT HAVE. WHEN SHOUTING BEGINS, NOTED SISCO, DIPLOMACY STOPS. SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -3- STATE 104750, SECTION 3 OF 5, JUNE 11, 1971 16. SPEAKING CANDIDLY, SISCO EXPRESSED HIS CONCERN OVER THE ARMS SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST. HE NOTED THAT SO FAR WE HAVE held BACK ARMS SHIPMENTS SINCE THE CONCLUSION OF THE SOVIET-UAR TREATY. ISRAEL HAS EXPRESSED PARTICULAR CONCERN OVER ARTICLE 8 OF THE TREATY. OUR ARAB FRIENDS URGE US NOT TO SEND MORE ARMS TO ISRAEL. HE SAID THAT NEW DECISIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ANY ARMS SHIPMENTS TO ISRAEL AND THE MATTER IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW. HE EXPRESSED PARTICULAR CONCERN OVER THE POSSIBILITY OF SO ME NEW SOVIET MILITARY PRESENCE SHOWING UP IN EGYPT DURING THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. SISCO SAID WE ARE FRANKLY FEARLFUL ALTHOUGH WE HAVE NO CONCRETE EVIDENCE OF NEW DELIVERIES. ANY TURMOIL RESULTING FROM FURTHER ARMS SHIPMENTS TO THE MIDDLE EAST WOULD serve SOVIET INTERESTS BUT NOT THE INTERESTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND LEBANON. REFLECTING ON THE OVERALL SITUATION, SISCO SAID THAT WE HAVE NEVER HAD A BETTER OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND WE MUST NOT LOSE IT. GHORRA EXPRESSED APPRECIATION AT HAVING HEARD DIRECTLY FROM SISCO our LATEST THINKING ON THE MIDDLE EAST. HE AGREED THAT THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACE AND COMMENTED THAT THE EGYPTIAN RESPONSE OF FEBRUARY 15 TO JARRING OFFERED SOMETHING NEW IN BOTH FORM AND CONTENT. COMMENTING ON AN INTERIM SOLUTION GHORRA SAID HE FELT BT SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State OF STATES UNITED AMERICA TELEGRAM SECRET R 120010Z JUN 71 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUESBE/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0578 RUEHDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8182 INFO RUFNRS/USINT ALGIERS 333Ø 3782Q RUESKG/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 8963 RUESGU/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 2237 June 11, 8:10 PM 1971 RUESAT/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 678Ø RUESRB/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 566Ø RUFHOL/AMEMBASSY BONN 3994 RUFHBS/AMEMBASSY brussels 6994 RUEIVC/USINT CAIRO 8251 RUESAR/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 6321 RUQVRA/AMEMBASSY JIDDA 7242 RUESJR/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 2133 RUEHCR/USINT KHARTOUM 2261 RUQVKW/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 3997 RUDICR/AMEMBASSY LONDON 9961 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY moscow 4239 RUQVHN/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 2644 RUFNCR/AMEMB ASSY PARIS Ø757 RUESBT/AMEMBASSY RABAT 8745 RUFHRO/AMEMB ASSY ROME 3527 RUQVAN/AMEMBASSY TEHRAN 8388 RUESAD/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 9886 RUEIKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 4336 RUESTI/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 4475 RUESKR/AMEMB ASSY TUNIS 92Ø6 RUFHNA/USMISSION NATO ØØ57 BT SECRE T SECTION 4 OF 5 STATE 104750/4 NODIS THAT ISRAEL, EGYPT AND THE SOVIETS WANTED IT, HE SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THERE HAD BEEN DISCUSSION IN THE FOUR-POWER TALKS BOUT THIS AND ASKED WHETHER THE SOVIETS WOULD EFFECT AN INTERIM SOLUTION IN THE FOUR-POWER forum. 18. SISCO SAID HE ATTACHED SOME SIGNIFICANCE TO EGYPT'S REITERATING her DESIRE TO CONTINUE THE process. HE NOTED ALSO THAT AS A MATTER OF SUBSTANCE THE SOVIETS ARE INTERESTED IN AN INTERIM SOLUTION BUT STATED WE DO NOT- INTEND TO DO THIS THROUGH THE FOUR-POWER MEETINGS. SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2- STATE 104750, SECTION 4 OF 5, JUNE 11, 1971 19. WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN GETTING CREDIT FOR OUR EFFORTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. OBVIOUSLY SOME SOVIET SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL FOR ANY INTERIM OR FINAL SETTLEMENT, PARTICULARY AFTER THEIR CONNIVANCE IN 1970 AT VIOLATING THE CEASEFIRE STANDSTILL AGREEMENT. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PIN DOWN THAT NO RUSSIANS WILL CROSS THE CANAL IN AN INTERIM AGREEMENT. WHATEVER THE NATURE OF THE AGREEMENT THE SOVIETS HAAVE TO BE A PART OF IT SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE A RESPONSIBLE ROLE. WE DO NOT WANT TO BE IN A POSITION OF OUR SPEAKING FOR THE ISRAELIS AND THE SOVIETS FOR THE EGYPTIANS. WE ANT PEACE AND OUR CLIENTS ARE BOTH THE ARABS AND THE ISRAELIS. 20. SISCO COMMENTED THAT HE WAS DISAPPOINTED AT THE MISCONCEPTIONS CIRCULATED BY THE SOVIETS ABOUT THE UNITED STATES IN THE ARAB WORLD. COMMENTING ON THE GENESIS OF THE ROGERS PLAN HE SAID THAT ON OCTOBER 28, 1969 A PAPER WAS SENT TO THE SOVIETS WHICH AFTER SOME WEEKS WAS TURNED DOWN. THIS BECAME THE DECEMBER 9, 1969 "ROGERS PLAN". THE SOVIETS REACTED BELATEDLY AND NEGATIVELY, AND EVEN BRIEFINGS OF BILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN DISTORTED. 21. GHORRA STATED HE HAD THE IMPRESSION THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN COMMUNICATING DIRECTLY TO THE EGYPTIANS AND NOT THROUGH THE SOVIETS. SISCON CONCURRED AND SAID THAT IF THE US-EGYPT DIALOGUE COMES TO AN END THERE IS NO POINT IN CONTINUNING THE DIALOGUE THROUGH THE SOVIET UNION. GHORRA SAID THAT THE US-EGYPTIAN DIALOGUE CENTERING ON AN INTERIM SOLUTION IS A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AND QUERIED WHETHER A DIALOGUE WOULD develop BETWEEN THE SOVIET UNITION AND ISRAEL. SISCO SAID THAT WE were NO AWARE OF ANY such CONTACT AND NOTED THAT WITH ANY ENCOURAGEMENT FROM MOSCOW THE ISRAELIS WOULD IMMEDIATELY ENTER INTO DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SOVIETS. GHORRA SAID IT would BE INTERESTING IF ISRAEL AND THE USSR REESTABLISHED DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS AT THE SAME TIME AS THE US AND EGYPT. 22. GHORRA SAID THAT THE TREATY BETWEEN THE UAR AND THE SOVIET UNION SHOWS THAT SADAT IS INSISTING ON HIS OWN CONCEPTION OF NONALIGNMENT. HE QUERIED WHETHER THE TREATY CHANGED THE EGYPTIAN CONCEPTION OF NONALIGNMENT. SISCO COMMENTED THAT WHEN US INFLUENCE AND SOVIET INFLUENCE ARE EQUAL IN EGYPTN THEN THERE WILL BE GENUINE NONALIGNMENT. SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -3- STATE 104750, SECTION 4 OF 5, JUNE 11, 1971 23. GHORRA COMMENTED ON ARTICLE 8 OF THE SOVIET-UAR TREATY. HE NOTED THAT MUCH DEPENDS ON WHAT HAPPENS IN THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR MONTHS. SISCO AGREED THAT THE TREATY DOESN'T ALTER THE FACT THAT EVERTHING WILL DEPEND ON WHAT PROGRESS OCCURS IN THE COMING WEEKS AND MONTHS. IF THERE IS PROGRESS TOWARD AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT, NOTED GHORRA, THEN THE TREATY WILL BE LIKE ANY OTHER BILATERAL SOVIET FRIENDSHIP TREATY. IF NOT, IT WILL ASSUME MORE IMPORTANCE. GHORRA OPINED THAT TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE both WITH THE EGYPTIAN/SOVIET TREATY AND WITH THE UNION OF ARAB STATES. THE LATTER COULD CREATE A CLIMATE NOT CONDUCIVE TO SETTLEMENT UNLESS THERE IS FORWARD MOVEMENT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. 24. SISCO ASKED GHORRA IF HE THOUGHT THE TREATY WOULD INFLUENCE THE PLEBISCITE IN SEPTEMBER. GHORRA SAID THAT THIS TOO DEPENDED ON PROGRESS OR LACK OF SAME IN MOVING TOWARD AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT. IF THERE IS PROGRESSS SADAT WILL HAVE ROOM TO MANEUVER. LACK OF PROGRESS, HOWEVER, WILL RESULT IN SADAT'S GETTING SUCKED INTO All THE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS RAMIFICATIONS OF THE UNION AND THE TREATY. GHORRA SAID THAT ALL HINGES ON ISRAEL'S RESPONSE. 25. COMMENTING ON ISRAELI FAITS ACCOMPLIS IN THE PAST WHICH HAVE LEAD TO THE CREATION OF PERMANENT FACTS, GHORRA NOTED THAT THIS HAD WORKED FOR ISRAEL IN 1948. WITH REGARD TO jerusalem AND A POSSIBLE SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING GHORRA SAID HE SAW NO WAY OF DELAYING WHAT ISRAEL IS DOING. BT SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN TELEGRAM SECRET. R 120010Z JUN 71 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUESBE/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0579 RUEHDT/USMISSION usun NEW YORK 8183 INFO RUFNRS/USINT ALGIERS 3331 3791Q RUESKG/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 8964 June 11, 8:10 PM 1971 RUESGU/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 2238 RUESAT/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 6781 RUESRB/AMEMBASEY BELGRADE 5661 RUFHOL/AMEMBASSY BONN 3995 RUFHBS/AMEMBASSY brussels 6995 RUEIVC/USINT CAIRO 8252 RUESAR/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 6322 RUQVRA/AMEMBASSY JIDDA 7243 RUESJR/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 2134 RUEHCR/USINT KHARTOUM 2262 RUQVKW/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 3998 RUDTCR/AMEMBASSY LONDON 9962 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 4240 RUQVHN/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 2645 RUFNCR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0758 RUESBT/AMEMBASSY RABAT 8746 RUFHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 3528 RUQVAN/AMEMBASSY TEHRAN 8389 RUESAD/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 9887 RUEIKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 4337 RUESTI/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 4476 RUESKR/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 9207 RUFHNA/USMISSION NATO 0058 BT SECRE T FINAL SECTION OF 5 STATE 104750/5 NODIS HE EXPRESSED CONCERN AS A CHRISTIAN AT THE PROSPECT OF JERUSALEM BECOMING A JEWISH CITY. HE NOTED THAT THERE ARE MORE CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST THAN THERE ARE ISRAELIS. HE FELT THAT THE JUDAIZATION OF JERUSALEM WILL CREATE A problem IN THE FUTURE. GHORRA SAID THAT HE felt THAT EVERYBODY TENDS TO SHY AWAY FROM INVOLVEMENT IN jerusalem. HE SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED THE EEC WHICH RECENTLY SHIED. AWAY FROM MENTION OF JERUSALEM. HE STATED THAT HE FELT AN INTERIM SUEZ SETTLEMENT WOULD help THE OVERALL MIDDLE EASTERN ATMOSPHERE, BUT HE IS AFRAID THAT JERUSALEM WON'T BE THERE AS A NON-JEWISH CITY IF THE ISRAELIS SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WiTHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. ECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2- STATE 104750, SECTION 5 OF 5, JUNE 11, 1971 CONTINUE TO CHANGE ITS CHARACTER AND DIMINISH ITS ARAB POLULATION. HE SAID HE WAS AFRAID THAT EVEN A SECURITY COJNCIL MEETING COULD NOT DIVERT THE ISRAELIS FROM THEIR PLAN TO JUDAIZE JERUSALEM. 26. SISCO AGREED ON THE CONCERN OVER THE SITUATION IN JERUSALEM EXPRESSED BY MANY RELIGIOUS GROUPS, INCLUDING CHRISTIANS. IN CONCLUSION, HE URGED AMBASSADOR GHORRA TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH HIM AND SEE IF WE CAN MAKE PROGRESS TOWARD AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT IN THE NEXT FEW weeks. 27. GHORRA WAS OBVIOUSLY VERY PLEASED WITH full EXCHANGE WHICH TOOK PLACE. GP-3 ROGERS BT Drafted by: IO/UNP E T Greene Cleared by: NEA - Mr Davies NEA/ARN - Mr Killgore NEA/ARN Mr Seelye S/S Mr Eliot Approved by: NEA - Mr Sisco SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. N DEPARTMENT OF STATE 12 Department of State UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN SECRET TELEGRAM R 172137Z MAY 71 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUESBE/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0000 INFO RUESKG/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0000 RUEIVC/USINT CAIRO 0000 SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE RUESAD/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0000 RUDTCR/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0000 '71 MAY 28 1420 09 May 27, 5:37 PM 1971 RUFNCR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0000 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0000 RUEHDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0000 RUESJR/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0000 N BT SECRET STATE Ø93457 NODIS SUBJ: BRIEFING FOR LEBANESE AMBASSADOR RE SECRETARY'S ME TRIP AND CURRENT STATUS PEACE EFFORTS SUMMARY; DURING GENERAL BRIEFING MAY 26 ON SECRETARY'S TRIP TO ME AND CURRENT STATUS PEACE EFFORTS ASST SECY SISCO TOLD LEBANESE AMBASSADOR KABBANI THAT US SOMEWHAT MORE ENCOURAGED ABOUT SITUATION FOLLOWING SECRETARY'S RECENT VISIT. UAR NOW STUDYING ISRAELI VIEWS ON ELEMENTS OF INTERIM CANAL AGREEMENT, AS CONVEYED TO SADAT BY SISCO MAY 9. SISCO STRESSED THAT DESPITE AREAS OF COMMONALITY, SERIOUS DIFFERENCES STILL EXIST BETWEEN ISRAEL AND UAR RE INTERIM SETTLEMENT. WITH REGARD OVERALL SETTLEMENT, SISCO SAID ISRAELIS GAVE NO INDICATION THAT THEY WILLING TO CHANGE THEIR POSITION. KABBANI STRESSED LEBANESE CONCERN RE ISRAELI ACTIONS N IN jerusalem. SISCO STATED WE MADE CLEAR TO ISRAELIS OUR CONCERN over THESE UNILATERAL ACTIONS WHICH PREJUDGE FINAL SETTLEMENT. RE LEBANON, SISCO URGED IT ADOPT "A PSYCHOLOGY OF GREATER self CONFIDENCE" RE FUTURE developments. END SUMMARY. 1. LEBANESE AMBASSADOR KABBANI CALLED ON ASST SECY SISCO MAY 26 TO DISCUSS SECRETARY'S VISIT TO MIDDLE EAST, INTERIM ARRANGE- MENT ON suez CANAL AND LEBANESE CONCERN RE jerusalem. SISCO ASKED KABBANI HOW HE VIEWED SECRETARY'S TRIP. KABBANI SAID HE BELIEVED TRIP HAD BEEN useful ALTHOUGH HE WONDERED IF IT WOULD RESULT IN PROGRESS TOWARDS AN OVERALL SETTLEMENT. TRIP DID HAVE VALUE OF IMPROVING ATMOSPHERE IN ARAB WORLD. IT STRENGTHENED REALATIONS BETWEEN US AND ARAB COUNTRIES ESPECIALLY UAR AND HELPED TO BUILD TRUST AND COOPERATION. KABBANI SAID PARTIES TO DISPUTE WERE NOT PROGRESSING TOWARDS PEACE AS MUCH AS HAD BEEN HOPED FOR. HE STILL FOUND NO COOPERATIVE COMING FROM TEL AVIV. ONLY POSITIVE MOVEMENT HAD COME FROM CAIRO. HE BELIEVED THAT ISRAEL WAS NOT NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive. Order 1 3526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -2 and STATE 093457, May 27, 1971 READY TO MAKE PEACE AND WOULD WAIT FOR STATUS QUO TO BECOME PERMANENT. ISRAEL WOULD TAKE VIEWPOINT THAT IF EXTREMISTS IN UAR CAME. OUT ON TOP, ISRAEL WOULD SAY IT COULD NOT COME TO TERMS WITH THE. IF MODERATES CAME TO POWER, ISRAEL would NOT RESPOND IN POSITIVE FASHION TO hlp THEM STAY IN power. 2. SISCO SAID HE HAD BEEN FAVORABLY IMPRESSED BY TALKS WITH LEBANESE LEADERS AND PRESIDENT FRANGIE IN PARTICULAR. HE NOTED COMMON OBJECTIVES AND FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN US AND LEBANON. however, SISCO SAID HE WAS CONERNED over FACT THAT IN LEBANON HE FOUND MORE PESSIMISM OVER POSSIBLITY OF PEACE SETTLEMENT THAN IN REST OF ARAB WORLD. KABBANI SAID HE AGREED, BELIEVING LEBANESE TO BE MORE REALISTIC. SISCO SAID WE FEEL LEBANESE ARE REALISTIC BUT WHAT WORRIES US IS THAT IS LEBANESE LEADERSHIP IS REFLECTING THIS PESSIMISM TO THE people, IT CAN CREATE TYPE OF CONDITIONS WE ARE ALL TRYING TO AVOID. 3. SISCO SAID SECRETARY HAD EMBARKED ON HIS TRIP AS CALCULATED RISK. WE HAD SET MODEST OBJECTIVES BECAUSE press HAS PROPENSITY FOR EXCITING UNDUE EXPECTATIONS FROM such A TRIP. ONLY OBJECTIVE WE SET WAS WHETHER WE could NARROW THE GAP BETWEEN PARTIES. WE ALSO WANTED TO SHOW TO OUR ARAB FRIENDS THAT USG IS MAKING EFFORT TO BRING ABOUT PEACE SETTLEMENT. SISCO SAID THAT WE WERE CAREFUL TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ARAB SENSIBILITIES. HE CITED EXAMPLE OF GREAT CAUTION EXERCISED IN TERMS OF APPEARANCES WHEN SECRETARY AVOIDED FLYING OVER OCCUPIED TERRITORIES AND TOOK PRE- CAUTIONS VISITING JERUSALEM. SISCO SAID THAT IN ARAB WORLD WE FOUND less QUESTIONING OF OUR MOTIVES. HE NOTED THAT ARABS ARE GIVING SOME CREDIT TO FACT THAT USG IS SINCERELY TRYING TO BRING ABOUT PEACE SETTLEMENT. 4. SISCO SAID IN ISRAEL WE PURSUED TWO PATHS IN OUR CONVERSATIONS. FIRST, WE NOTED THAT EGYPTIAN REPLY TO JARRING'S FEBRUARY INITIATIVE HAD BEEN POSITIVE AND WE felt ISRAEL should BE MORE FORTHCOMING. WE REITERATED OUR POSITION THAT ISRAELI REPLY DID NOT MATCH POSITIVE NATURE OF EGYPTIAN RESPONSE. IN THIS REGARD WE DID NOT ACHIEVE ANY CHANGE IN ISRAELI POSITION. SECOND MAJOR THRUST OF OUR DISCUSSIONS WAS ON POSSIBILITY OF INTERIM ARRANGEMENT ON REOPENING SUEZ CANAL. SISCO SAID HIS CONVERSATION WITH DAYAN HAD PROVED PARTICULARLY helpful. ISRAEL HAD GIVEN US SOME POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE IDEAS WHICH WERE CONVEYED TO SADAT. SISCO NOTED THAT LEBANESE HAD MADE POINT TO US (AS DID JORDANIANS) THAT NO INTERIM SEITLEMENT TOUCHES FUNDAMENTAL problems THAT LEBANON AND JORDAN ARE FACED WITH ⑉⑉ jerusalem, QUESTION OF PALESTINIAN REFUGEES, AND OCCUPA- TION OF JORDANIAN TERRITORY. WE TRIED TO MAKE CLEAR TO GOL THAT WE WERE AWARE OF THIS AND THAT WE WOULD NOT LET LEBANON AND JORDAN DOWN. NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential SECRET DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -3- STATE 093457, May 27, 1971 5. SISCO SAID BOTH SIDES SEE INTERIM ARRANGEMENT AS PRACTICAL TEST FOR PEACE. SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT WOULD help IMPROVE ATMOSPHERE IN AREA WHICH BOTH SIDES FELT TO BE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. SISCO HAD CONVEYED TO SADAT ON BEHALF OF ISRAEL THAT ISRAEL IN ANY INTERIM ARRANGEMENT WOULD LIKE EXPLICIT COMMITMENT ON PART OF UAR NOT ONLY TO CLEAR AND OPERATE THE SUEZ CANAL BUT TO OPEN IT TO VESSELS OF ALL NATIONS INCLUDING THOSE OF ISRAEL. ISRAELI SUSPICION WAS THAT UAR WOULD CLEAR CANAL AND AT TIME THEY WERE READY TO OPEN IT WOULD seek FURTHER CONCESSIONS ON WITHDRAWAL FROM ISRAEL. ISRAEL WANTED UAR TO KNOW THAT IT WAS WILLING TO WITHDRAW X RPT X NUMBER OF KILOMETERS FROM EAST BANK OF CANAL. HOWEVER, NUMBER OF KILOMETERS ISRAEL IS WILLING TO WITHDRAW AND KIND OF PRACTICAL SUPERVISORY ARRANGEMENTS ARE INTRICATELY LINKED WITH KIND OF CEASEFIRE UAR IS WILLING TO ACCEPT. DAYON HAD SAID THAT IF ISRAEL HAS TO OPERATE UNDER SIX MONTHS CEASEFIRE, THEN THEY COULD NOT WITHDRAW MANY KILOMETERS FROM SUEZ CANAL, SINCE ISRAEL MIGHT HAVE TO REOCCUPY TERRITORY IN EVENT THAT HOSTILITIES RESUMED. HOWEVER, IF UAR AGREED TO MORE OPEN-ENDED CEASEFIRE, THEN THIS would HAVE POSITIVE EFFECT ON ZONE OF WITHDRAWAL AND NATURE OF PRACTICAL SUPERVISORY ARRANGEMENTS SINCE ISRAEL could PLAN THAT ONCE IT HAD WITHDRAWN FROM CANAL IT WOULD NEVER BE NECESSARY TO REOCCUPY THIS TERRITORY. 6. SISCO THEN TURNED TO PRIMARY CONCERNS OF EACH SIDE. FIRST, ISRAEL BELIEVES THAT NO INTERIM ARRANGEMENT SHOULD WORK TO ITS MILITARY DISADVANTAGE AND THEREFORE NO MILITARY FORCES SHOULD CROSS CANAL. SECOND, ISRAEL WANTS IT MADE QUITE CLEAR THAT WHATEVER COMMITMENT IT MAKES ON WITH- DRAWAL IN CONTEXT INTERIM ARRANGEMENT NOT RPT NOT PREJUDGE ISRAELI POSITION ON FINAL SETTLEMENT. PRIMARY EGYPTIAN CONCERN IS THAT INTERIM ARRANGEMENT NOT BECOME NEW STATUS QUO AND NOT BE USED AS PRETEXT FOR INDEFINITE ISRAELI OCCUPATION OF UAR TERRITORY. 7. SISCO SAID THAT ISRAEL WAS WILLING TO COMMIT ITSELF EXPLICITLY THAT THE LINE TO WHICH ISRAEL WITHDRAWS IS NOT FINAL LINE. ISRAEL WAS AWARE OF SADAT'S NEED TO DEMONSTRATE TO WORLD THAT UAR HAD REASSUMED AUTHORITY OVER CANAL. SISCO HAD RAISED THIS POINT WITH SADAT AND ASKED IF THERE WERE NOT REP NOT some WAY TO DEMONSTRATE EGYPTIAN CONTROL TO WORLD OTHER THAN HAVING TROOPS REOCCUPY TERRITORY. SISCO SAID THAT HE BELIEVES THERE IS WAY TO LINK INTERIM ARRANGEMENT TO ONGOING EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE OVERALL SETTLEMENT. HOWEVER, REAL DIFFICULTIES REMAIN ON EACH SIDE, FOR EXAMPLE, MATTER OF EGYPTIAN TROOPS CROSSING CANAL. 8. SISCO EMPHASIZED TO KABBANI THAT HE WAS ABLE TO CONVEY CONSTRUCTIVE ISRAELI IDEAS TO SADAT. PROOF OF THIS WAS THAT SADAT HAD SAID THAT HE NOW KNEW WHAT ISRAEL WANTED AND NOT JUST WHAT ISRAEL DID NOT RPT NOT WANT. SADAT SAID THAT HE NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and hás been determined to be declassified. SECRET -4- STATE 093457, May 27, 1971 NEEDED COUPLE OF weeks TO STUDY IDEAS AND DID NOT WANT TO FORSAKE CLARITY AND UNDERSTANDING FOR SPEED. HE DID NOT WANT ANYTHING TO ARISE WHICH WOULD BE SOURCE OF MISUNDERSTANDING AND CONTENTION BETWEEN UAR AND ISRAEL AND ONE HAND AND UAR AND USG ON OTHER. 9. SISCO SAID HE DID DETECT A WILL TO ACHIEVE PROGRESS ON both SIDES. BOTH SIDES SAY THIS ARRANGEMENT WOULD IMPROVE ATMOSPHERE. IN HIS CONVERSATIONS WITH BOTH SIDES, THERE WERE NO POLEMICS, NO DEADLINES OR THREATS AND THEREFORE HE THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS SOME HOPE. SINCE THEN, HOWEVER, IMPORTANT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS HAD OCCURRED IN UAR. ALSO, WHILE SOVIET UNION WANTS CANAL OPEN, IT IS OBVIOUSLY CONCERNED OVER US ACTIVITY AND INFLUENCE IN UAR. AN ILLUSTRATION OF THIS WAS PODGONRY'S VISIT TO UAR. SISCO SAID THAT USG WAS NOT NAIVE ENOUGH TO THINK. THAT ANY EGYPTIAN LEADER should OR WOULD DISREGARD SOVIET ECONOMIC AND MILITARY PRESENCE IN UAR. USG IS NOT TRYING TO REPLACE RUSSIAN POSITION IN EGYPT but WE BELIEVE THAT EGYPT IS SINCERELY INTERESTED IN PURSUING POLICY OF BALANCED NON- ALIGNMENT. 10. SISCO NOTED THAT SADAT HAD MADE STRONG SPEECH ON INTERIM ARRANGEMENT LAST THURSDAY. ALSO, UAR FOREIGN MINISTER HAD TRIED TO GIVE US PAPER ON EGYPT'S POSITION ON INTERIM ARRANGEMENT WHICH WE REFUSED TO ACCEPT BECAUSE WE DID NOT FEEL IT TO BE RESPONSIVE. SINCE THEN BERGUS HAS HAD NUMBER OF CONVERSATIONS WITH HIGH-LEVEL EGYPTIAN OFFICIALS. WE DETECT SOME TACTICAL STIFFENING BUT DO NOT FEEL THAT THERE HAS BEEN A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE OF POSITION ON EITHER SIDE RE INTERIM ARRANGEMENT. 11. SISCO NOTED THAT IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED IN CAIRO AT CONCLUSION SECRETARY'S VISIT THAT THREE STEPS WERE BEING TAKEN TO IMPROVE US/UAR RELATIONS. FIRST, WE HAD AGREED TO SMALL INCREASES IN SIZE OF OUR RESPECTIVE INTERESTS SECTIONS. SECOND, WE HAD AGREED TO ACCELERATE DISCUSSIONS ON UAR DEBT TO USG. FINALLY, WE HAD AGREED TO MORE INTENSIVE CONSULTA- TIONS ON WHOLE QUESTION OF PEACE. 12. SISCO SAID THAT IT WILL TAKE TIME FOR EVENTS TO DEVELOP ON INTERIM ARRANGEMENT. HE NOTED THAT USG HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH RECENT EVENTS IN UAR. WE FEEL THEM TO BE INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT AND BEYOND DIRECT INFLUENCE OF US. WE THINK THAT ISRAEL should ASK ITSELF WHAT IT COULD DO TO AID IN CONSTRUCTIVE EVOLUTION OF EVENTS IN CAIRO. KABBANI INTERJECTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN LITTLE PROGRESS MADE TOWARDS PEACE SINCE 1967 AND THIS WAS THE FAULT OF ISRAEL NOT UAR. USG COULD INFLUENCE ISRAEL TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE. SISCO DISAGREED THAT NO PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE AND SAID THAT WE BELIEVE WE DID DEVELOP SOME FLEXIBILITY ON INTERIM SETTLEMENT AS RESULT OF SECRETARY'S TRIP. NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon residential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -5- STATE 093457, May 27, 1971 13. KABBANI ASKED IF DAYAN WAS SPEAKING NAME OF ISRAELI GOVERNMENT DURING HIS TALKS SUEZ CANAL. SISCO NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN INTERNAL ARGUMENT IN ISRAEL WHEREBY DAYAN HAD BEEN ACCUSED OF SPECIFYING NUMBER OF KILOMETERS TO WHICH ISRAEL WOULD WITHDRAW. SISCO HAD TOLD SADAT THAT NUMBER OF KILOMETERS ISRAEL WAS WILLING TO WITHDRAW HAS NOT BEEN DECIDED BY ISRAELI GOVERNMENT BUT ould BE INFLUENCED BY TYPE OF CEASEFIRE UAR WAS WILLING TO ACCEPT. HE HAD TOLD SADAT THAT ANY AGREEMENT ON CANAL WOULD HAVE TO BE SUBMITTED TO KNESSET BY PRIME MINISTER MEIR. 14. KABBANI QUESTIONED TALKING merely ABOUT WITHDRAWAL IN TERMS OF INTERIM ARRANGEMENT AND FELT THAT QUESTION IN ITS ENTIRETY should BE DISCUSSED. SISCO SAID THAT IF IT WERE POSSIBLE TO PROCEED ON BASIS OF OVERALL SETTLEMENT, IT WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY TO TRY TO ACHIEVE INTERIM ARRANGEMENT. however, UAR AND ISRAEL seems TO FEEL THAT BEST WAY TO ACHIEVE SOME PROGRESS IS TO PROCEED IN THIS DIRECTION. WE FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT INTERIM ARRANGEMENT CANNOT TAKE PLACE OF OVERALL SETTLEMENT SINCE IT DOES NOT solve FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS IN AREA. IF WE STOP THERE, THEN WE LEAVE CONDITIONS FOR NEW WAR. WE ARE NOT TRYING TO ACHIEFE NEW STATUS QUO. 15. KABBANİ SAID SITUATION WAS IMPOSSIBLE AS WELL AS DANGEROUS ONE FOR BOTH JORDAN AND LEBANON. UNLESS overall SETTLEMENT IS ACHIEVED, SITUATION IN LEBANON WILL REMAIN VERY PRECARIOUS. SISCO SAID THAT IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS FOR THE GOL TO REFLECT VIEW THAT IT CANNOT FACE UP TO SITUATION. GOVERNMENT HAD TO REFLECT STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE. WHAT WAS NEEDED, IN HIS JUDGMENT, IN LEBANON WAS PSYCHOLOGY OF POSITIVE self CONFIDENCE. IN THIS REGARD, LEBANON SHOULD STRENGHTEN ITS ARMY. SISCO NOTED THAT US would help IN THIS TASK. KABBANI SAID THAT SITUATION WOULD NOT BE SOLVED IN LEBANON BY MERELY PROVIDING MORE ARMS. ARMY AND THE COUNTRY CAN BE DIVIDED OVER QUESTION OF SUPPORT FOR PALESTINIANS. BETTER COURSE WOULD BE TO solve problem IN POLITICAL WAY. KABBANI SAID THAT EVEN MODERATE PALESTINIANS ARE so EMOTIONAL ON problem THAT THEY CANNOT THINK RATIONALLY. SISCO SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THIS AND KNEW THAT LEBANON FEARED THAT WHAT HAD OCCURRED IN JORDAN WOULD OCCUR IN LEBANON. 16. IN RESPONSE TO SISCO'S QUERY WHY LEBANON SEEMED MORE PESSIMISTIC, KABBANI SAID THAT LEBANON SINCE 1967 HAD BEEN GOING DOWN IN EVERY ASPECT. ECONOMIC ACTIVITY WAS DOWN, X IMMIGRATION WAS INCREASING RAPIDLY, SOCIAL UNREST WAS RISING, STUDENTS WERE DEMONSTRATING LABOR UNREST WAS GROWING AS WAS LEFTISM AND problem OF PALESTINIANS WAS INCREASING. EVEN STRENGHTENING THE ARMY WILL NOT solve THESE problems SINCE THERE ARE INTERNAL DIVISIONS WITHIN THE ARMY. HOWEVER, KABBANI SAID THAT LEBANESE LEADERS WERE NOT TALKING TO PEOPLE IN PESSIMISTIC MANNER BUT DID HAVE TO CONSIDER IN REALISTIC TERMS THESE DIFFICULTIES. NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET -6- STATE 093457, May 27, 1971 17. TURNING TO SUBJECT OF JERUSALEM, KABBANI NOTED THAT LEBANESE FOREIGN MINISTER HAD JUST RETURNED FROM ROME AFTER TALKS WITH pope ON ISRAELI ACTIONS IN JERUSALEM. LEBANON WAS ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF JERUSALEM'S IMPORTANCE TO moslems AND CHRISTIANS. JERUSALEM IS BECOMING BIT BY BIT JEWISH CITY AND ARAB WORLD WAS FACED BY ISRAELI FAIT ACCOMPLIS. SISCO SAID THAT WE DID NOT ACCEPT ISRAELI ACTIONS IN JERUSALEM. WE HAD STRONG TALKS WITH ISRAELIS ON THIS MATTER BECAUSE OX ACONCERN EXPRESSED BY JORDANIANS, LEBANESE AND SAUDI ARABIANS. WE HAD ALSO TALKED TO POPE ON THIS MATTER AND HE WAS VERY CONCERNED BY ISRAELI ACTIONS. WE MADE QUITE CLEAR TO ISRAELIS OUR NON-ACCEPTANCE OF THEIR ACTIONS IN JERUSALEM SINCE THESE UNILATERAL ACTIONS WOULD PREJUDGE FINAL SETTLEMENTS. N KABBANI REPEATED JERUSALEM'S SPECIAL IMPRTANCE TO MOSLEMS AND CHRISTIANS. IF ISRAEL IGNORED THESE FEELINGS, THERE WOULD NEVER BE PEACE IN AREA. SISCO SAID THAT WE WERE VERY DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS MATTER AND WILL STAY IN TOUCH WITH LEBANESE. IN RESPONSE TO KABBANI QUESTION ABOUT HOW ISRAELIS REACTED DURING DISCUSSIONS ON jerusalem, SISCO SAID THAT ISRAELIS HAD ADMITTED THAT THEIR POSITION IS GETTING WEAKER. ROGERS BT Drafted by: NEA/ARN - E G Abington Cleared by: NEA/ARN - Mr Seelye S/S - Mr Curran Approved by: NEA Joseph J Sisco SECRET NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. UNITED DIPARTMENT STATES OF of OF is STATE MEDICAL SECRET 16297 two Classification Department of State 36 INDICATE: TELEGRAM 13 COLLECT CHARGE TO 2 OCT 70 21 48z DISTRIBUTION ACTION: AmEmbassy BEIRUT IMMEDIATE STATE: 162971 NODIS Illustrative List of Military Equipment SITUATION R COM WHITE HOUS WHITE HOU SUBJ: 70 OCT AM 9:37 37 REF: State 161364 Would appreciate Embassy's providing DEPT by opening of business October 3 preliminary list of military equipment in your judgment which/ GOL would require in connection possible $5 million grant assistance. We appreciate that you have not had sufficient time to come up with definitive illustrative list, which you should still plan to send when it is ready. At this point we need whatever you can give us. END ⑈⑈⑈ N DRAFTED BY: NEA:ARN:TWSeelye:jfc MM DRAFTING DATE TEL EXT. APPROVED BY: $ 10-2-70 22670 NEA pips Mr. Atherton CLEARANCES: P/M - Mr. Dorough 01 s/s with Mr. Curran RXL SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. FORM DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. RECEIVED SECRET WHCA NODIS 1970 JUL 2 01 31Z VV EHA415 RR RUEHEX DE RUEHC 105327 1830027 ZNY SSSSS ZZH R 020022Z JUL 70 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHCR/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 6003 INFO RUEHEX/WHITE. HOUSE BT S E C R E T STATE 105327 NODIS REF BEIRUT 5439 FOR AMBASSADOR FROM SISCO 1. I READ WITH GREAT INTEREST YOUR CONVERSATION WITH HELOU. I HAVE ONE SUGGESTION: PLEASE AVOID TAKING ANY INITIATIVE WITH RESPECT TO PROPOSAL CONTAINED IN PARA 7. WE HAVE NOT REPEAT NOT PROPOSED AN INTERNATIONAL OBSERVER PRESENCE, THOUGH OF COURSE DO NOT PRECLUDE IT. OUR PRESENT CEASEFIRE PROPOSAL CALLS IN THE FIRST INSTANCE ON EACH OF THE PARTIES TO USE ITS OWN MEANS TO ASSURE COMPLIANCE WITH ANY AGREED CEASEFIRE. WHETHER PRESENT UNTSO PERSONNEL MIGHT PROVE TO BE A USEFUL MECHANISM IS SOMETHING WHICH WE DO NOT WISH TO RAISE AT THIS POINT UNLESS AND UNTIL THERE IS AN AGREEMENT ON THE KIND OF CEASEFIRE WE HAVE IN MIND WHICH INCLUDES A STANDOFF BETWEEN THE PARTIES SO THAT NEITHER WOULD SEEK TO IMPROVE HIS RELATIVE MILITARY POSITION AGAINST THE OTHER. 2. RE PARA 5 REFTEL, IF HELOU OR OTHERS AGAIN MAKE POINT ABOUT NASSER'S INABILITY ACCEPT PEACE SETTLEMENT BASED ON QUOTE LOSS OF ARAB TERRITORY UNQUOTE, YOU MAY IF YOU BELIEVE IT WOULD BE USEFUL POINT OUT THAT SUCH BLANKET STATEMENT GIVES MISLEADING IMPRESSION OF KIND OF SETTLEMENT USG HAS SAID IT COULD SUPPORT. WHILE RES. 242 DOES NOT SPECIFY TOTAL WITHDRAWAL EVERYWHERE TO PRE-JUNE 5, 1967 LINES, WE HAVE MADE CLEAR THAT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH PRINCIPLE OF NON-ACQUISITION OF OF TERRITORY BY WAR, WE BELIEVE ANY CHANGES IN THOSE LINES MUST BE AGREED BETWEEN PARTIES AND INSUBSTANTIAL IN NATURE. GP-3. JOHNSON BT Reproduced at the NODIS Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SECRET WIT GRAIN & STATES OF OF STATE Classification $10 100664 Department of State INDICATE: TELEGRAM COLLECT CHARGE TO 25.Jun.7u 17 03z DISTRIBUTION ACTION: Amembassy BEIRUT IMMEDIATE STATE 100664 NODIS 1. Rather than encouraging the Lebanese covernment to stand issue denials, it is better that they let/what they have said. Best posture at this juncture is merely that they not repeat not go out of their way to repeat the specific details. We are not anxious for them to issue denials. 2. This also being communicated to Kabbani here. END GP. 3 '70 JUN 25 PM FRONEDS 34 situation ROO ROOM OF DRAFTED BY: DRAFTING DATE TEL. ext. APPROVED BY: NEA JJSisco:laþ 6/25/70 29588 NEA - Joseph J. Sisco CLEARANCES: S/S Mr. Brewster SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. FORM DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. * U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 2-575 - OF WH (0) STATE SECRET Classification Department of State 099770 AMERICA STATES OF TELEGRAM CICCLLECT TO 24.Jun.7u F9 29z DISTRIBUTION ACTION: ___| AMEMBASSY BEIRUT FLASH STATE 099770 NODIS FOR AMBASSADOR PORTER FROM SISCO 1. Lebanese are doing entirely too much talking to the press. Am distressed to get AP ticker indicating Karame revealing details. Please see Helou and Karame $ and see what you can do to put lid on situation, though damage may have been done. FYI More said on concrète details, more will be pressure on Israel to react publicly and negatively at this time. END FYI. END Γ CONNCIF РЕСПЫЦА 05' MY ES or Mies a PSMUL 03V13038 DRAFTINGUAZE TEL EXT APPROVED B7: NEA:JJSisco:mtb 6/24/70 29588 NET - - X Joseph J dilapances: S/S - Mr. Brown Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING Office:1959-360-575 SAUNDER- S DEPARTMENT OF SONNENFELDT SECRET/EXDIS NODIS UNITED states and OF & STATE Classification 097788 Department of State INDICATE: TELEGRAM N.H. COLLECT CHARGE TO 20 JON70 22 U2z DISTRIBUTION ACTION: Amembassy BEIRUT PRIORITY INFO: Amembassy TEL AVIV PRIORITY Amembassy AMMAN 11 USINT CAIRO 11 11. USUN Amembassy PARIS 11 Amembassy LONDON Amembassy MOSCOW 11 EXDIS NODIS STATE 097788 SUBJECT: Arab-Israeli Peace Initiative 1. As follow-up to call on him by Lebanese Ambassador Kabbani on June 19 (State 97653), Assistant Secretary Sisco briefed Kabbani June 20 on details our current peace initiative. Sisco stressed our deep concern re deteriorating situation in Mibdle East, and said we had spent past 5-6 weeks in thorough and searching analysis of this situation. Principal conclusion was that major effort must be made at this point toward achieving solution. This was reinforced by enconraging signs emanating from UAR (e.g. Nasser's May 1 appeal, his TV interview on "The Advocates") and from Israel (e.g. internal disquiet with Meir's Government's hard-line policy, Prime Minister Mater's DRAFTED BY: DRAFTING DATE TEL EXT. APPROVED BY: NEA/ARN:TWSeelye:amp 6/20/70 22670 NEA - Joseph J. Sisco ggt CLEARANCES: NEA - Mr. Atherton AZA S/S - Mr. Mortoh Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1969-360-575 UNITED DEPARTMENT OF STATES OF OF S3 STATE MEDICAL SECRET/EXSIS NODIS Classification Department of State INDICATE: TELEGRAM COLLECT CHARGE TO DISTRIBUTION ACTION: Amembassy BEIRUT #2 accepting public statement supporting UNSC Resolution). text of proposed Jarring report to SYG which we. are 2. Sisco handed Kabbani/papexxam proposing parties accept as basis for talks. Sisco said that we had had preliminary talks with Israel, UAR and Jordan. We had also informed British, French and Soviets. Sisco said essence of initiative is to get indirect talks started under on basis of Jarring presededcby commitment by Israel to principle of withdrawal and commitment by UAR and Jordan to enter into just with Israel, and lasting peace, ; including ecognition of Israel's right to exist. Both commitments would accord with language of UNSC resolution. Sisco said in all frankness that we do not repeat not know whether we can get Israeli agreement but we shall try. 3. Sisco emphasized that foregoing would be only "wedge or deep-opener" and ensuing Two Power and Four Power talks would be necessary to help in filling in framework and working our out detailed documents. DRAFTED BY: DRAFTING DATE tel. EXT. APPROVED BY: CLEARANCES: Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Libraryonts DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1969-360-575 DEPARTMENT & OF STATE ATE SECRET/NODIS Classification UNITED *** AMERICA Department of State INDICATE: STATES OR TELEGRAM COLLECT CHARGE TO DISTRIBUTION ACTION: Amembassy BEIRUT #3 40 Re arms, Sisco said that delivery of US aircraft to levels Israel would be limited to kexxkx not going beyond commitments In ⑆⑆ past contracts during period in which we pursuing political initiative. At same time he noted we had made NOM contingent arrangements re sale of further aircraft. These aprangements could be affected by whether cease fire in effect or not. or Sxx whether negotiation had brought substantial measure of success and progress. Sisco said we consider we have acted with restraint on arms, and expressed hope Lebanese would help assure positive Arab reaction is forthcoming. 5. Kabbani was pleased with this development and commented later that he thought this represented most important step forward since June 1967 war. In response his question whether there would be public announcement, Sisco replied we would have to say something but would do so in most modulated manner possible. We desire avoid any kind of public comment which might impair peace initiative. DRAFTED BY: DRAFTING DATE TEL. EXT. APPROVED BY: CLEARANCES: Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. R U.S. GOVERNMENT DIPARTMENT UNITED STATES OF OF STATE EORET/NODIS Classificati on Department of State INDICATE: TELEGRAM COLLECT CHARGE TO DISTRIBUTION ACTION: Amembassy BEIRUT #4. 6. FOR BEIRUT: Drawing on foregoing Ambassador Porter authorized on highly confidential basis brief appropriate GOL officials. END ROGERS DRAFTING DATE tel EXT. APPROVED BY: DRAFTED BY: CLEARANCES: Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. STATE of SECRET/NODIS Classification Department of State 096508 10 STATES AMERICA CALINO INDICATE: TELEGRAM 13 COLLECT CHARGE TO 19 JON70 U 10z DISTRIBUTION ACTION: Amembassy BEIRUT USUN NEW YORK INFO: Amembassy AMMAN Amembassy JIDDA Amembassy KUWAIT Amembassy LONDON Amembassy OTTAWA Amembassy TEL AVIV USINT CAIRO '70 JUN 19 AM 9:58 58 SITUATIONROOM Amconsul JERUSALEM NODIS STATE 096508 SUBJECT: US Demarches on UNRWA Financial Crisis REF: Beirut 4843 In interest of avoiding steps that might conceivably have adverse impact on receptivity of area GOVTS to new ME peace initiative that we hope to launch in days ahead, DEPT has decided delay for time being demarches to UNSYG and UNRWA COMGEN outlined State 92815. You should therefore defer such demarches pending receipt X further notification from DEPT. In interim, trust you will report promptly any new INFO that bears on UNRWA's CRAFTED BY: DRAFTING DATE tel. ext. APPROVED BY: IO/UNP TCarolan c1h 6/18/70 28114 IO - Samuel De Palma CLEARANCES: IO/UNP - Mr. Armitage NEA/IAI - Mr. Stackhousek IO/OIA - Mr. Lawrence NEA/ARN any Mr. Scotes NEA - Mr. Atherto S/S - Mr. Brown SECRET/NODIS Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT UNITED STATE STATES OF OF STATE AMERICA SECRET/NODIS Classificati on Department of State INDICATE: TELEGRAM COLLECT CHARGE TO DISTRIBUTION XXXXX Page 2 of telegram to BEIRUT and USUN NEW YORK current and projected financial position, e.g. indications how Michelmore plans treat subject in 1970 Annual Report. END ROGERSI DRAFTED BY: DRAFTING DATE tel. EXT. APPROVED BY: CLEARANCES SECRET/NODIS Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. FORM D DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE SECRET/NODIS 9 Classification 019216 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Department of State IDICATE: TELEGRAM COLLECT CHARGE TO 7 FEB 70 02 08z DISTRIBUTION ACTION: Amembassy BEIRUT STATE 019216 NODIS REF: BEIRUT 989 and 971 1. We fully share your sense of urgency over the proposed program, and preliminary measures have been taken that will permit us to move rapidly as soon as necessary statistics received. High level interest already exists in this program and no bureaucratic delays are anticipated. 2. Regarding statistical requirement, we need the very latest, up-to-date information, and that already available in Washington is necessarily dated. Also, officers on scene in Beirut are in much better position than Washington officials to evaluate and comment on data. We note in Beirut 971 that pertinent information being air pouched February 9 and should be available in Washington shortly thereafter. [ROGERS] N DRAFTING DATE tel. EXT. A'PROVED BY: DRAFTED BY: RMD NEA/ARN:BHBaas/bhb 2/6/70 20695 NEA - Rodger P. Davies CLEARANCES: NEA/ARN: TWSeelye IWD s/s - Mr. Brandt Rod Reproduced at the Richard/NixomPresidential Library. FORM 05 DEGLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE Department of State OF STATES WHE AMERICA UNITED TELEGRAM SECRET 13 1407Q 1970 FEB 6 AM 9:11 R 061314Z FEB 70 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT - CORRECTED COPY (MRN) TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9644 BT SECRET BEIRUT 1034 NODIS *70 FEB 6 PM 4:45 SITUATION ROOM WHITE HOUSE PLEASE PASS USUN, USINT CAIRO. 1) ROWLAND EVANS, JUST RETURNED FROM VISITS UAR AND SYRIA, PHONED ME THIS MORNING (FEB 5) FROM AIRPORT AS HE WAS DEPARTING BEIRUT. 2) ESSENCE OF GUARDED PHONE CONVERSATION WAS THAT NASSER HAD TALKED TO HIM FOR HALF HOUR IN TOTAL PRIVACY AFTER CONCLUSION TELEVISED INTERVIEW. EVANS SAID NASSER CLEARLY TRYING TRANSMIT MESSAGE THROUGH HIM TO USE THAT (A) HE WAS UNDER INCREASING INTERNAL PRESSURES FROM BOTH ASU AND ARMY TO ADOPT WAR POLICY. HE FELT INCREASINGLY ISOLATED IN HIS ATTEMPTS KEEP DOOR OPEN FOR POLITICAL SETTLEMENT. (B) HE WAS REACHING END OF HIS ROPE AND FELT HE WOULD SOON HAVE TO DROP HIS POLICY OF MODERATION OR BE OVERWHELMED BY INTERNAL OPPOSITION. (C) HE IMPLIED FEAR THAT HE BEING FORCED INTO POSITION OF TOTAL DEPENDENCE ON SOVIETS. SOVS MIGHT SOON BE ABLE DICTATE INTERNAL POLICY OF UAR. 3) NASSER ASKED EVANS ADVICE RE WHAT STEPS HE MIGHT TAKE VIS-A-VIS - US. EVANS SUGGESTED (A) THAT HE MAKE SOME GESTURE OF INTEREST IN FORMULATI ONS IN SECRETARY'S DEC 9 SPEECH AND IN USG OCT 28 PROPOSALS; (B) THAT HE SEND PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF STATURE SUCH AS FAWZI ON SPECIAL MISSION TO WASHINGTON. GHORBAL WAS A GOOD TECHNICIAN BUT AT THIS POINT A PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF NASSER WAS NEEDED. EVANS DID NOT INDICATE EXTENT NASSER'S RECEPTIVITY TO SUGGESTIONS. MY CONVERSATION WITH EVANS WAS HASTY AND INCOMPLETE. HE PROMISED FILL IN NEA ON HIS RETURN WASHINGTON LATTER PART NEXT WEEK. PORTER NOTE: NOT PASSED USUN AND CAIRO BY OC/T SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE HM Department of State OF STATES THE UNITED AMERICA TELEGRAM 10 SECRET R 051403Z FEB 70 1064Q FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 1970 FEB 5 9:56 AM TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9633 BT SECRET BEIRUT 989 NODIS FOR DAVIES AND SEELYE, NEA 1) I WOULD APPRECIATE INTERVENTION AT HIGH LEVEL TO GET THE PL-480 AGREEMENT WITH LEBANON MOVING. WE ARE NOW IN SLOW PROCESS OF PROVIDING STATISTICS WHICH IN FACT COULD BE OBTAINED FROM AGRICULTURAL ATTACHE REPORTS ALREADY IN WASHINGTON. I UNDERSTAND NECESSITY FULFILL THESE REQUIREMENTS AND WE WILL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE COMPLY. MY CONCERN IS THAT WE ARE ENTERING A PERIOD OF BUREAUCRATIC DRIFT WHICH MAY DELAY DECISION FOR WEEKS AND TEND TO NEUTRALIZE THE POLITICAL AND OTHER ADVANTAGES WE HOPE TO OBTAIN, UNLESS SOMEONE SPEEDS UP THE PROCESS. 2. PRESIDENT HELOU HAS CAREFULLY ORCHESTRATED AND ARRANGED FOR A UNIQUELY RAPID PASSING OF LEGISLATURE TO ALLOW LEBANON TO NE- GOTIATE AND SIGN PL-480 AGREEMENT. THIS WAS DONE AGAINST POTENT- IALLY STRONG AND DANGEROUS LEFTIST OPPOSITION, WITH HELOU TAKING ACTION ON UNDERSTANDING THAT USG WAS ANXIOUS AND READY TO MOVE AHEAD. ANY SUBSTANTIAL DELAYS ARE GOING TO RAISE SERIOUS QUESTIONS IN HELOU'S MIND AND INDEED COULD THROW THE WHOLE PROGRAM INTO JEOPARDY, GIVEN THE FAST MOVING NATURE OF EVENTS IN THE MIDEAST THESE DAYS. 3. WE NEED THE POLITICAL IMPACT OF A PL-480 AGREEMENT NOW, BOTH IN OUR AND HELOU'S INTERESTS. I HOPE THE IMPORTANT POLITICAL CON- SIDERATIONS WHICH ARE THE BASIS FOR USG INTEREST IN THIS AGREE- MENT CAN BE GIVEN OVERRIDING EFFECT AND NEGOTIATING INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE SENT TO US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. PORTER BT SECRET Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT OF STATE SECRET/NODIS 037919 10 Classification UNITED A AMERICA Department of State OF TELEGRAM 36 B INDICATE: STATES collect CHARGE TO DISTRIBUTION ACTION: AmEmbassy BEIRUT PRIORITY STATE 037919 MAR 13 PM 2654 HOUSE 17 Γ NODIS SUBJECT: Arms for Lebanon REF: Beirut 1933, Beirut 1934, State 36213, Paris 1. As Embassy has noted from State 36213, we feel that we have been reasonably responsive to Lebanese requests for arms. In particular, we would note the considerable efforts we expended to make available for sale to the GOL 6,000 M-14 rifles. If President Helou personally not aware of this, perhaps he should be SO informed. We would like Helou to understand that we want to be as helpful as possible but there are limitations to what we can do. Overt grant assistance is impossible. We have carefully examined the possibility of covert grant assistance but have rejected this course of action as being too risky and as inadvisable. We are sympathetic to idea of providing military credit and have tentatively NEA : ARN. .TWSeelye/BHBaas:am TWD drafting DATE tel. EXT. approved BY: DRAFTED BY 3/13/70 20695 NEA - Joseph J. Sisco CLeARAnCES: NEA - Mr R. P. Davies S/S - Dirk NGleysteaan INR/DDC - Mr. J. Gardner Я/РМ - Mr. Barnard of SECRET/NODIS Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. FORM DEGLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPART advis SECRET/NODIS - 2 Classification UNITED STATES OF THE AMERENT Department of State NDICATE: TELEGRAM COLLECT CHARGE TO DISTRIBUTION ACTION: over-all earmarked an / amount for Lebanon. However, FMS credit appropriation has not yet been approved and, in any case, modest cost of rifles requested would seem to argue against use of FMS credit for this purpose. 2. Appears to us that minimal cost of rifles requested should not be deterrent if Lebanese want and need them badly enough. Lebanese budget undoubtedly tight, but sums involved are so small that rifles could presumably be purchased forthwith if GOL assigned high enough priority to this transaction. We note in this connection from Paris 2654 that French Government giving strong consideration to taking back some Mirages. If this occurs, would immediately release funds which would enable GOL purchase substantial quantities of military equipment. 3. Further problem is that to satisfy urgent nature of Helou's request arms would have to be shipped DRAFTING DATE TEL. EXT. APPROVED BY: DRAFTED BY: CLEARANCES: SECRET/NODIS Classification FORM Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DS 4 DECLASSIFIED 322 This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DEPARTMENT STATE SECRET/NODIS 3 Classilication UNITED STATES OF THE Department of State NDICATE: TELEGRAM COLLECT CHARGE TO DISTRIBUTION ACTION: expeditiously, presumably by air. This would be bound to attract popular attention in Lebanon and arouse suspicion that we were indeed helping Helou to suppress the fedayeen. Recalling how such a popular belief last October contributed to Lebanon's internal troubles, we hesitate to involve ourselves in operation which might make situation more difficult, rather than easier, for Helou. While we wish to support the Lebanese Government, we would prefer to do so in a manner that cannot be depicted as a USG campaign against fedayeen. This would only exacerbate the situation and make the fedayeen appear more heroic to the Arab public. 4. In all frankness, we must admit to lack of clarity re principal object of this endeavor. On one hand, Helou tells us that he cannot crack down on fedayeen since this would plunge country into civil war and drafting DATE tel. EXT. approved BY: DRAFTED BY clearances SECRET/NODIS Classification FORM DS-322 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. 4 68 DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. OF STATE SECRET/NODIS 4 - Classification UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Department of State INDICATE: TELEGRAM COLLECT CHARGE TO DISTRIBUTION ACTION: destroy the Republic. On other hand, he and Khoury contend that these arms are needed to take a harder line against fedayeen. (Earlier we understood rifles were for purpose arming of southern villagers.) Meanwhile implication is that gift of arms from USG is needed primarily as psychological gesture. 5. Re need for psychological gesture by us, would hope that PL 480 program -- which we have arranged for just this reason -- would to great extent meet this require- ment. In tangible terms this program is substantial since commodities are valued at $7.2 million, whereas 5,000 M-1 rifles would have value of probably less than $100,000. The PL 480 program has further virtue of being an economically constructive venture. 6. In conclusion, we regret to have to say that we are unable to / supply of arms to DRAFTING DATE tel. EXT. approved BY: DRAFTED BY: CLEARANCES: SECRET/NODIS Classification FORM DS-322 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. 4 68 DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. DIPARTMENT OF STATE SECRET/NODIS - 5 Classification UNITED AMERICA Department of State STATES OF NDICATE: TELEGRAM COLLECT CHARGE TO DISTRIBUTION ACTION: the Lebanese Government other than through the open, straight-forward channels we have utilized in the past. 7. Beirut's 1989 just received. Re GOL request for M-41 tanks, we indicated only approximate time frame and do not rpt not fore- close possibility of earlier delivery of tanks on staggered basis. Problem is that these tanks are in extremely poor condition and must undergo major rehabilitation. Cost of tanks is expected to be reasonable. We did not indicate that "no other tanks available from U.S. sources". Lebanese request limited to M-4l's and M-42's. We indicated latter extremely difficult to acquire. There would be normal requirement for MC clearance should Lebanese obtain M-41's on open market. This does not rpt not mean U.S. veto. It means it not rpt not possible give clearance in absence specific request. We prepared discuss at length other points mentioned in Beirut 1989 upon Ambassador's return. GP-3. END DRAFTING DATE TEL. EXT. approved BY: DRAFTED BY CLEARANCES: SECRET/NODIS Classification Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. FORM 68 PDECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1969-360-575 OF 4-3 STATE SECRET/NODIS 0 9 Classificati on " UNITED STATES OF Department of State INDICATE: TELEGRAM 31-13 COLLECT CHARGE TO 15z DISTRIBUTION ACTION: Amembassy BEIRUT PRIORITY Amembassy AMMAN STATE 095495 NODIS SUBJECT: Peace Initiatives and Palestinian Contacts REF: State 088816 1. As per reftel, peace initiatives now being prepared as part of Am serious U.S. effort break out of current Near East negotiating impasse. In addition to explaining matter to Arab governments when initiatives are ready, we are also considering possibility of attempting dialogue with Palestinians. We have no illusions we will win wide support for our efforts among Palestinians, particularly militant elements, but such effort could perhaps help assure against blatant misrepreseniation or misunderstanding of our position, give Palestinians feeling we recognize they are legitimate interested party and in some measure moderate or initiatives. diffuse opposition to our efforts. This might be done, for example, through contacts with well-placed Palestinian intellectuals possibly on AUB faculty who could (x1x) (a) presumably convey DRAF NEA/ARN:TJScotes:no BY 6/17/70 DRAFTING DATE TEL 21019 EXT. approved BY: NEA - Joseph Ju Sisco CLEARAnCES: NEA/ARN - T. W. Seelye nea - Mr. Atherton S/S.Mr. Brando Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 196 0-575 DEPARTMENT of STATES OF 813 STATE SECRET/NODIS Classification Department of State OF INDICATE: TELEGRAM COLLECT CHARGE TO Page 2 - Amembassy BEIRUT PRIORITY DISTRIBUTION AMMAN ACTION: substance of our initiatives to responsible fedayeen leadership and (b) provide us with useful reaction to these initiatives. 2. Would appreciate soonest your evaluation of this proposal 4 MASH MA and, if you agree to this course of action, suggestions re AS Palestinians to be contacted and how this might be accomplished BECEINED without causing political furor. 81 nut END ROCERS DRAFTED BY: DRAFTING DATE tel. EXT. APPROVED BY: CLEARANCES: Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. UNITED DEPARTMENT STATES OF OF AMERICA STATE SECRET/NODIS Classificati on 11 037959 Department of State INDICATE: TELEGRAM 33 COLLECT CHARGE TO 14 MAR 70 02 38z DISTRIBUTION ACTION: Amembassy XXXIAX BEIRUT __] STATE 037959 SUBJECT Possible USG Contacts with Fedayeen REF: State 20697 NODIS Dept well aware of Embassy preoccupation with other important over problems and past several weeks, but would appreciate, if at all possible, early reply to reftel re possible USG contacts with fedayeen. GP-3 END ROGERS DRAFTED BY: DRAFTING DATE TEL. EXT. APPROVED BY: NEA/ARN:TJScotes:gv1 3/13/70 21019 NEA -Rodger P. Davies CLEARANCES 5mg NEA/ARN: TWSeeTye S/S Dirk Gle ystech SECRET/NODIS Reproduced at the Richard Nixon residential Library. Class FORM 4 68 P DERASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. UNITED DEPARTMENT STATES OF OF THE STATE AMERICA SECRET/NODIS 11 Classification 017931 Department of State TELEGRAM W H INDICATE: B COLLECT CHARGE TO 5 FEB 70 21 IOz DISTRIBUTION ACTION: AmEmbassy BEIRUT INFO: AmEmbassy TEHRAN NODIS STATE 017931 04. SUBJECT: gol Request for Assistance in South Lebanon REF: Beirut A-55 5 Wd HOUSE WHITE 1. We share your concern over situation which exists 8:36 in South Lebanon and we pleased that GOL is adopting measures to contain fedayeen. We also share your view re importance of GOL assisting villagers in Southern Lebanon, particularly in social and economic fields. While provision of arms to villagers might have short- term benefits in psychological sense, in long run it would appear that social and economic development would contribute most effectively to stabilizing southern area. 2. With foregoing in mind, we believe that PL-480 program proposed by Lebanese, provides excellent _________________________ DRAFTED BY: DRAFTING DATE TEL. EXT. APPROVED BY: NEA:ARN:BHBaas/am 2/4/70 20695 CLEARANCES: NEA:RPDavies es PM NEA : ARN - Mr. Seely INR/DDC - Mr. Gardner S/S - Mr. Brown AWB SECRET/NODIS Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. FORM DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant Classification to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 969-360-57 UNITED DEPARTMENT STATES adidas OF The OF STATE AMERICA SECRET/NODIS - 2 - Classification Department of State INDICATE: TELEGRAM COLLECT CHARGE TO DISTRIBUTION ACTION: opportunity for us to be helpful. Portion of proceeds from sale of commodities approved under program could be used for economic and social projects in South. You might suggest this to Khoury as way in which GOL and USG can cooperate in ameliorating conditions in South Lebanon. 3. We can conceive of no other way in which we can be helpful other ka than through our outstanding offer to supply small arms to the GOL to assist in containing the fedayeen and thereby providing village security. END ROGERS] DRAFTED BY: DRAFTING DATE TEL. EXT. APPROVED BY: CLEARANCES: Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. CIA Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY DOCUMENT CONTROL RECORD ITEM REMOVED FROM THIS FOLDER MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/30 (1 pp.) EXEMPTED per sec 3.3 (b)(1) E.O. 12958, as amended ltr. 11/13/2008 A RESTRICTED DOCUMENT OR CASE FILE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS FILE FOLDER. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE ITEM REMOVED AND THE REASON FOR ITS REMOVAL, CONSULT DOCUMENT ENTRY NUMBER 224 ON THE DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD (NA FORM 14021) LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THIS FILE FOLDER. PGH 10/22/2009 NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION NLRN Form 101 (revised 5/09) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY DOCUMENT CONTROL RECORD ITEM REMOVED FROM THIS FOLDER MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/31 (1 pp.) EXEMPTED per sec 3.3 (b)(1) E.O. 12958, as amended Itr. 11/13/2008 A RESTRICTED DOCUMENT OR CASE FILE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS FILE FOLDER. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE ITEM REMOVED AND THE REASON FOR ITS REMOVAL, CONSULT DOCUMENT ENTRY NUMBER 225 ON THE DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD (NA FORM 14021) LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THIS FILE FOLDER. PGH 10/22/2009 NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION NLRN Form 101 (revised 5/09) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY DOCUMENT CONTROL RECORD ITEM REMOVED FROM THIS FOLDER MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/32 (11 pp.) EXEMPTED per sec 3.3 (b)(1) E.O. 12958, as amended ltr. 11/13/2008 A RESTRICTED DOCUMENT OR CASE FILE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS FILE FOLDER. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE ITEM REMOVED AND THE REASON FOR ITS REMOVAL, CONSULT DOCUMENT ENTRY NUMBER 226 ON THE DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD (NA FORM 14021) LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THIS FILE FOLDER. PGH 10/22/2009 NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION NLRN Form 101 (revised 5/09) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SANITIZED COPY INTEL IGENCE ROUTINE CENTRAL AGENCY Intelligence Information Cable IN 136516 INSURANCE AMERICA PAGE 1 OF 2 PAGES STATE/INR DIA NMCC/MC (SECDEF JCS ARMY NAVY AIR) CIA/NMCC NIC NSA SDO ONE CRS DIRECTORATE OF PLANS EXO DRI This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, th transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. GROUP 1 Encluded from autometic downgrading and declassification THIS IS AN INFORMATION REPORT, NOT FINALLY EVALUATED INTELLIGENCE. SECRET NO FOREIGN DISSEM DIST 5 AUGUST 1970 COUNTRY LEBANON/ARAB STATES 15 49z AUG 70 SANITIZED DOI per seç. 3.3(b)(1) SUBJECT COMMENTS OF THREE PALESTINIANS ON THE UAR'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE ROGERS PEACE PLAN 1. A LEADING FATAH OFFICIAL EXPRESSED DEEP BITTERNESS AT UAR PRESIDENT JAMAL ABD - AL - NASIRS "BETRAYAL" OF THE PALESTINIAN CAUSE AND THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE BY HIS. ACCEPTANCE OF THE ROGERS PEACE PLAN. THE OFFICIAL SAID THE ONLY COURSE OF ACTION LEFT OPEN TO THE PALESTINIANS IS TO "SPOIL" THE CEASEFIRE IN JORDAN BY CARRYING OUT AS MANY INCIDENTS AND FORAYS INTO ISRAEL AS POSSIBLE. CONTINUING, THE FATAH 5 4 OFFICIAL SAID HE KNOWS THAT WITH THE AVERAGE LEBANESE MUSLIM's 3 2 > LOYALTY STILL GOING SOLIDLY TO NASIR, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY 1 DECLASSIFIED SECRET /NO FOREIGN DISSIM E.O. 13526, Section 3.5 NLN 11-21/5830, per sec. 3.3(b)(1); Itr. 11/6/13 (classification) (dissem controls) By: MLH, NARA; Date: 3/9/2015 Reproduced at Library. SANITIZED:COPY [p. 1 of 2] nov DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SANITIZED COPY IN 136516 SANITIZED per sec. 3.3(b)(1) PAGE 2 OF 2 PAGES SECRET NO FOREIGN DISSEM (classification) (dissem controls) NOTHING THE PALESTINIANS CAN DO IN LEBANON. IF THE PALESTINIANS A TTEMPTED ANY SERIOUS VIOLENCE IN LEBANON, IT WOULD ONLY RESULT IN THEIR BEING KILLED BY THE LEBANESE AUTHORITIES, WITH THE FULL APPROVAL OF THE MAJORITY OF THE MUSLIM POPULATION. 2. A PALESTINIAN WHO IS LESS RADICAL IN HIS OUTLOOK THAN THE FATAH OFFICIAL SAID THAT WITH NASIR'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE ROGERS PLAN, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO HOPE LEFT FOR PALESTINIANS ANYWHERE THROUGH THE USE OF VIOLENCE. WITHOUT NASIR SOLIDLY BEHIND THEM, HE SAID, THERE IS NOTHING PALESTINIANS CAN DO TO ALTER THE COURSE OF EVENTS. 3. STILL ANOTHER PALESTINIAN, WHO RECENTLY VISITED THE WEST BANK, EXPRESSED SURPRISE AT THE OVERWHELMINGLY FAVORABLE RESPONSE, AMONG WEST BANK ARABS HE KNOWS, TO THE ROGERS PEACE PLAN AND THE UAR'S AND JORDAN'S ACCEPTANCE OF IT. .HE COMMENTED THAT THE HOPE ENGENDERED AMONG THE WEST BANKERS BY THE PEACE PLAN AND DEVELOPMENTS SINCE ITS ACCEPTANCE BY THE UAR HAD TOTALLY KILLED OFF ANY POPULAR 5 SUPPORT FOR COMMANDO ACTION. 4 3 4. DISSEM: NONE. 2 1 SECRET SECRET NO FOREIGN DISSEM NLN 11-21/5830; p. 2 of 2 (classification) (dissem controls) SANITIZED COPY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. Lee/10/1ea DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY DOCUMENT CONTROL RECORD ITEM REMOVED FROM THIS FOLDER MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 11-21 [ID: 5831] (2 pp.) EXEMPTED per 3.3(b)(1); ltr. 11/6/2013 A RESTRICTED DOCUMENT OR CASE FILE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS FILE FOLDER. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE ITEM REMOVED AND THE REASON FOR ITS REMOVAL, CONSULT DOCUMENT ENTRY NUMBER 228 ON THE DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD (NA FORM 14021) LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THIS FILE FOLDER. CB /WIH 11/18/2014 NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION NLRN Form 101 (revised 5/09) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SANITIZED COPY INTEL PRIORITY CENTRAL AGENCY Intelligence Information Cable IN 131106 of AMERICAN PAGE 1 OF2 PAGES STATE/INR DIA NMCC/MC (SECDEF JCS ARMY NAVY AIR) CIA/NMCC NIC NSA SDO ONE CRS DIRECTORATE FOR PLANS EXO DDI This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. GROUP 1 Excluded from avtomatic NO FOREIGN DISSEM downgrading and declassification THIS IS AN INFORMATION REPORT, NOT FINALLY EVALUATED INTELLIGENCE SECRET 281611Z SANITIZED DIST 28 JULY 1970 COUNTRY: LEBANON DOI ce per sec. 3.3(b)(1) SUBJECT: 1. REPORTED DECISION BY SUAD SHIHAB TO ANNOUNCE HIS CANDIDACY FOR THE LEBANESE PRESIDENCY 2. COMMENTS OF LEBANESE ARMED FORCES CHIEF OF STAFF ON OTHER ASPECTS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 1. ACCORDING TO LEBANESE ARMED FORCES CHIEF OF STAFF MAJOR GENERAL YUSUF SHUMAYIT, EX-PRESIDENT FUAD SHIHAB AGREED ON 26 JULY TO ACCEPT NOMINATION FOR THE LEBANESE PRESIDENCY, AND THIS WILL BE ANNOUNCED PROBABLY LATE IN THE DAY NO FOREIGN DISSEM DECLASSIFIED E.O. 13526, Section 3.5 NLN 11-21/5832, per sec. 3.3(b)(1); Itr. 11/6/13 SECRET By: MLH NARA; Date: 3/9/2015 SANITIZED COPY [p. 1 of 2100P Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SANITIZED COPY SANITIZED IN 131106 per sec. 3.3(b)(1) PAGE 2 OF 2 PAGES SECRETNO FOREIGN DISSEM (classification) (dissem controls) OF 28 JULY. SHIHAB CALCULATES THAT HE HAS THE VOTES OF FIFTY SEVEN DEPUTIES AND HOPES TO WIN OVER AT LEAST TEN MORE BY THE EVENING OF 28 JULY. SHIHAB HAD TRIED TO HAVE CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR ILYAS SARK I S NOMINATED, BUT THIS DID NOT WORK. IN THIS CONNECTION, SHUMAYIT SAID HE TOLD SHIHAB, "IT'S EITHER YOU OR NO ONE." SHUMAYIT ALSO SAID THE DATE OF THE ELECTIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED WITHIN TWO DAYS AND THAT THE DATE WILL PROBABLY BE SET FOR 31 JULY. 2. SHUMAYIT ALSO HAS INFORMATION THAT FORMER PRESIDENT KAMIL SHAMUN WILL ALSO ANNOUNCE HIS OWN CANDIDACY WITHIN TWO DAYS, SIMPLY TO FIGHT SHIHAB. WHEN IT WAS SUGGESTED TO SHUMAYIT BY A FRIEND THAT THIS WOULD RESULT IN TROUBLE POSSIBLY BREAKING OUT, SHUMAYIT SAID HE AGREED, BUT THAT HE WILL ATTEMPT TO EFFECT A NATIONAL RECONCILIATION PRIOR TO THE ELECTIONS OR, IF UNSUCCESSFUL, DEFINITELY AFTER THE ELECTIONS. 3. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ARMY COUP D' ETAT, ORGANIZED BY LEBANESE G-2 IF SHIHAB LOSES, SHUMAYIT SAID SUCH SPECULATION IS NONSENSE, BECAUSE NO COUP WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT HIS (SHUMAYIT'S) PARTICIPATION. 4. DISSEM: STATE ARMY NAVY AIR CINCMEAFSA. GP-1 REPORT CLASS: SEORET/NO FOREIGN DISSEM SECRET SANITIZED COPY NLN 11-21/5832; p. 2 of 2 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. bee/10/109 DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SANITIZED COPY Saunda NNNNDLA526 SECRET NUFURN NOFORN DO DE 3329R 1751725 ZKZK 00 ZSL DE SANITIZED RECEIVED WHCA 0 241556Z ZYH per seç. 3.3(b)(1) FM CIA TO WHITE HOUSE (ATTN: SS/ID) 1970 JUN 24 18 09Z $50 ACSI DA SSO ANS VIRGINIA AFSSO USAF COMNAVINTCOM CNO DIA/ISIC JCS NIC DIRNSA COMMAND CENTER STATE (RCI) ZEN/FBI ZEN/STATE OCT (FOR SY/PRS) CIA-OCI ZEM SE CRE T NOFORN DISSEM CITE COUNTRY: LEBANON/JORDAY/ARAB STATES/WEST GERMANY/UNITED KINGDOM/ ROMANIA DOI: SUBJECT: PLANS OF THE POPULAR FRONT FOR THE LIBERATION OF PALESTINE (PFLP) AND OTHER COMMANDO GROUPS IN LEBANON AGAINST AMERICAN INTERESTS IF PHANTOMS ARE SOLD TO ISRAEL. 1. FOLLOWING THE JUNE 1970 CRISIS BETWEEN THE COMMANDOS AND THE JORDANIAN GOVERNMENT, ARIF B AG H DA D I, A SYRIAN JOURNALIST WITH "ILA AL AMAM," THE BE IR UT ORGAN OF THE POPULAR FRONT FOR THE LIBERATION OF PALESTINE - GENERAL COMMAND (PFLP- GC) was ASKED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN LEBANON IF THE UNITED STATES SOLD A NEW BATCH OF PHANTOM A IRCRAFT TO ISRAEL. BAGHDADI, BASING HIS STATEMENTS ON WHAT HE HAD HEARD AROUND HIS NEWSPAPER OFFICE, MADE THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS. 2. IF AMERICA SELLS PHANTOMS TO ISRAEL, THE LEADER OF THE POPULAR FRONT FOR THE LIBERATION OF PALESTINE (PFLP), GEORGE MABBASH, HAS ALREADY DECIDED ON AN OPEN STRUGGLE AGAINST AMERICAN INTERESTS. SPECIFICALLY, BOMBS WILL BE THROWN AT BUILDINGS HOUSING AMERICAN BUSINESSES, AMERICAN AUTOMOBILES WILL BE SABOTAGED, ATTACKED, OR STOLEN, THERE WILL BE ATTACKS AND DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE AMERICAN EMBASSY, POPULAR DECLASSIFIED E.O. 13526, Section 3.5 NLN 11-21/5833, per sec. 3.3(b)(1); Itr. 11/6/13 SANITIZED COPY By: MLH NARA; Date: 3/9/2015 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library2] SIMP DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. TIONS IN THE STREETS, STRIKES TO SHOW THE DISSATISFACTION OF PEOPLE, AND TRANSPORT WORKERS WILL REFUSE TO UNLOAD SHIPS AND PLANES ON WHICH THERE ARE AMERICANS. 3. WHEN ASKED IF THERE WOULD BE KIDNAPPINGS OF AMERICANS AS THERE HAD BEEN IN JORDAN, BAGHDADI, GIVING HIS PERSONAL OPINION, REPLIED THAT THE SITUATION IN LEBANON WAS DIFFERENT. IN JORDAN THE COMMANDOS' INFLUENCE WAS MUCH STRONGER; IN LEBANON THERE WAS NO PLACE WHERE CAPTIVES COULD BE HELD SECURELY, AND MOST HOTELS HELD TOO MANY OTHER FOREIGNERS. CAPTIVES MIGHT BE HELD IN REFUGEE CAMPS, BUT EVEN IN THE CAMPS THE LEBANESE GOVERNMENT COULD TAKE CERTAIN MEASURES TO PREVENT OR COUNTERACT IT. 4. BAGHDADI FURTHER STATED THAT ALL THE LEFTIST ORGANIZATIONS, PARTICULARLY THE PRO-CHINESE FACTIONS, ARE INTERESTED IN ATTACKING THE AMERICANS FIRST, BUT OTHER FOREIGNERS, THE WEST GERMANS, THE ENGLISH, AND THE ROMANJANS WOULD POSSIBLY BE INCLUDED. COMMENT: WHEN MENT IONED THE ROMANIANS, HE WAS PROBABLY THINKING LIKE A SYRIAN", BECAUSE SYRIA-HAD BROKEN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH ROMANIA OVER ROMANIA'S RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL ON 24 AUGUST 1969. POSSIBLY HE ALSO REMEMBERED PRESIDENT NIXON' 1969 VISIT TO ROMANIA.) ACTIONS AGAINST TME AMERICANS WOULD BE A CONSIDERABLE HELP IN UNITING THE PALESTINIAN GROUPS, PARTICULARLY FATAH, SA' IQA, THE PELP, THE POPULAR DEMOCRATIC FRONT FOR THE LIBERATION OF PALESTINE, AND THE COMMUNIST AL-ANSAR GROUP, AROUND A COMMON ANTI- "FOREIGN" ACTION, ABOUT THE ONLY COMMON GROUND THEY COULD ACHIEVE SINCE THE GROUPS ARE DIVIDED ON NEARLY EVERY ISSUE. THE COMMON AIR OF THESE GROUPS WOULD ALSO BE TO REDUCE THE POWER OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS IN JORDAN AND IN LEBANON AND REPLACE THEM WITH THE POWER OF THE COMMANDO MOVEMENT, WHICH WOULD ENABLE THEM FREELY TO APPLY PRESSURE ON AMERICA IN ORDER TO REALIZE VICTORY OVER ISRAEL. 5. COMMENT: BAGHDADI NEVER MENT IONED NOR WAS ASKED ABOUT PFLP-GC PLANS, BUT PRESUMABLY THEY WOULD FOLLOW THE FOREGOING OUTLINED SCHEME.) 6. DISSEM: STATE ARMY NAVY AIR CINCHEAFSA GP-1 650 NNNN SLORET SECRET NOFORN 08/10/19 SANITIZED COPY NLN 11-21/5833; p. 2 of 2 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SANITIZED.COPY Saundar SECRET NOFORN SANITIZED per sec. 3.3(b)(1) RECEIVED WHCA DLA344 1970 APR 17 12 12Z 00 DE 885 4R 1071145 ZKZK 00 ZSL DE 0 171136Z ZYH FM CIA TO WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM SSO ACSI DA SSO AHS, VIRGINIA AFSSO USAF COMNAVINT COM CNO DIA/ISIC JCS NIC DIRNSA COMMAND CENTER STATE (RCI) CIA-OCI ZEM $ E OR E T NO FORN DISSEM CITE COUNTRY: LEBAANON/ARAB STATES DOI: SUBJECT: DECISION.OF LEBANESE INTER IOR MINISTER KAMAL JUMBLATT TO PERMIT A PROTEST DEMONSTRATION IN BE IR UT 18 APRIL AGAINST THE VISIT OF U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOSEPH SISCO 1. ON THE MORNING OF 17 APRIL AT A MEETING WITH LEBANESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, LEBANESE MINISTER OF INTERIOR KAMAL J UMBLATT ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAD DECIDED TO PERMIT A DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE VISIT TO LEBANON OF U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOSEPH S I S C O. BY PALESTINIAN COMMANDOS AND LEFT WING GROUPS TO TAKE PLACE 18 APRIL AT 1600 HOURS. THE DEMONSTRATORS WILL ORGANIZE IN BEIRUT'S WESTERN SUBURBS AND WILL MARCH THROUGH THE BASTA AREA TO THE SERAIL. JUMBLATT COMMENTED THAT MR. SISCO WOULD HAVE COME AND GONE BY THAT TIME. WHEN JUMBLATT WAS ASKED BY LEBANESE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS NASSIM MAJDALANI WHETHER JUMBLATT COULD GUARANTEE A PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION, JUMBLATT REPLIED THAT NO ONE COULD MAKE SUCH A GUARANTEE. 2. DISSEO: STATE ARMY NAVY A IR CINCMEAFSA USAREUR USAFE USCINCEUR CINCSOUTH COMSIXT HFLT CINCUSNAVEUR GP-1 295 NNNN SECRET MOCORN NOTUIN DECLASSIFIED E.O. 13526, Section 3.5 NLN 11-21/5834, per sec. 3.3(b)(1); Itr. 11/6/13 By: MLH, NARA; Date: 3/9/2015 at ther icharbNixon Presidential Library] not DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SANITIZED COPY INTEL IGENCE ROUTINE CENTRAL AGENCY Intelligence Information Cable IN AMERICAN AMERICAN PAGE 1 OF 2 PAGES of STATE/INR DIA NMCC/MC (SECDEF JCS ARMY NAVY AIR) CIA/NMCC NIC NSA SDO ONE CRS DIRECTORATE OF PLANS ADDED: EXO, DDI This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, th transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. GROUP 1 Excluded from automatic NO FOREIGN DISSEM downgrading end declassification THIS IS AN INFORMATION REPORT, NOT FINALLY EVALUATED INTELLIGENCE SECRET SANITIZED DIST 8 APRIL 1970 per sec. 3.3(b)(1) COUNTRY LEBANON USSR DOI 00 14 39z APR 70 SUBJECT PROJECTED OPENING OF LEBANESE MILITARY ATTACHE OFFICE IN MOSCOW 1. THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE LEBANESE ARMED FORCES MAJOR-GENERAL JEAN N U J A Y M STATED THAT HE HAD INITIATED PLANS TO OPEN A MILITARY ATTACHE OFFICE IN MOSCOW WHICH WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL BLOC COUNTRIES. HE COMMENTED THAT IT WOULD BE IN LEBANON'S INTEREST TO HAVE A MILITARY ATTACHE 5 OFFICE IN MOSCOW. 4 DECLASSIFIED 3 E.O. 13526, Section 3.5 2 NLN 11-21/5835, per sec. 3.3(b)(1); Itr. 11/6/13 1 By: MLH, NARA; Date: 3/9/2015 + SECRET [p. 1 of NO FOREIGN DISSEM (classification) (dissem controls) SANITIZED COPY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SANITIZED COPY IN SANITIZED per sec. 3.3(b)(1) PAGE 2 OF 2 PAGES SEC R E T/NO FOREIGN DISSEM (classification) (dissem controls) 2. DISSEM: STATE ARMY NAVY AIR CINCMEAFSA 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 1 . SECRE T/NO FOREIGN DISSEM (classification) (dissem controls) SANITIZED COPY NLN 11-21/5835; p. 2 of 2 eEe/10/1e9 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. SANITIZED COPY Scourt NOTOR SECRET NOTURN Le Smnor SANITIZED RECEIVED per sec. 3.3(b)(1), WHCA DLA724 1970 MAR 30 15 06Z 00 DE 7547R 0891356 ZKZK 00 ZSL DE 0 3013362 ZYH FM CIA TO WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM $50 ACSI DA SSO AMS, VIRGINIA AF550 USAF CONNAVINTCOM cKo DIA/ISIC JCS NIC BIRNSA CONMAND CENTER STATE (RCI) CIA-OCI ZEN $ ECR E T NOFORM CITE COUNTRY: LEBANON/ARAB-STATES DOI $ SUBJECT: 1. STEPS TAKEN BY LEBANESE INTERIOR MINISTER TO-PROTECT U.S. INSTALLATIONS 2. OTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN CURRENT LEBANESE CRISIS 1. COMMENT: ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL PRESS OF 30 MARCH 1970 THE POP FRONT FOR: THE LIBERATION PALESTINE (PFLP) ITS RESI ILITY FOR THE EXPLOSIONS VHICI TOOK PLACE BE IR gT LATE 28 MARCH NEAR THE AMERICAN ENBASSY AND AT THE AMERICAN (SARBLED) COMPA Y.BUILDING ON T -AIRPORT ION, THE PFLP MAS ANNOUNCED TTSR THE LATE ARCH EX LOSIONS AT THE JOI AND AT THE BANK OF AME BUILDT 2. ON THE EVEN KAMAL J UNB L A CONT B / A FOR INTERNAL ITY AND ASKED THAT INCREAS RICTECTIVE AROUND ALL UNITED STATES INST LLATT BANA, THAT HE D ID UT DO MUCH MORE ALREADY DOING CALLED FIRM FOR ASSISTANCE DECLASSIFIED E.O. 13526, Section 3.5 NLN 11-21/5836, per sec. 3.3(b)(1); Itr. 11/6/13 Reproduce SANITIZED CO Presidential BraMLH NARA; Date: 3/9/2015 DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has nodetermined to be declassified. SANITIZED COPY THAT PERHAPS THE LEBANKSE AMMI SHOULD DE CALLLE DURI THE FIGNTTIME NO S: JUNDLI THOUGHT IN ORDER. BUT NE MADE NO PROMISES STATE THE IN FRONT OF AMERICAN INSTALLATIONS: BE BLOCKED OFF AT NIGHT, SINCE THIS WOULD STOP THE FFLP SHOOTING ROCKETS VNILE RIBING PAST such INSTALLATIONS IN CARS. JUMBLATT CONSIDERED THIS TO BE A GOOD IDEA. JUMBLATT LATER CONTACTED LEBANESE ARMY DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF COLONEL FAVZI K HA T IB AND ASKED HIM FOR TROOPS TO HELP PATROL AMERICAN INSTALLATIONS AT NIGHT. FAWZI REPLIED THAT ME COULD NOT PLAN ANYTHING FOR THAT EVENING, BUT WOULD WORK OUT A PLAN ON THE MORNING OF 30 MARCH. 3. LEBANESE G-2 MAJOR SAMI KHAT IB was SENT TO CAIRO BY THE LEBANESE GOVERNMENT ON 28 MARCK, IN AN EFFORT TO HAVE THE UAR USE IT'S INFLUENCE WITH THE COMMANDOS TO CALM DOWN THE SITUATION; NOVEVER, NO ONE has MUCH HOPE FOR POSITIVE RESULTS FROM THIS ACTION. 4. LIBYAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND UNITY SALIH BUWAY S IR- ARRIVED IN LEBANON 29 MARCH. JUMBLATT WANTED TO RESTRICT BUWAYSIR'S MEETINGS IN BEIRUT AND IN PARTICULAR DID NOT WANT HIM TO MEET WITH UAR ANBASSADOR IBRANIM SAB R I. IN SPITE OF JUMBLATT, BUWAYSIR DID NEET WITH SABRI, AND THE LATTER TVO ARE ALLEGEDLY NOV VORKING TOGETHER WITH THE LEBANESE GOVERNMANT TO CALM THE CRISIS. 5. BE IR UT PALESTINE LIBERATION ORGANIZATION OFFICE DIRECTOR SHAFTQ AL-H U T, VMO HAS ADVOCATED A POSITION OF MODERATION ON THE PART OF THE COMMANDOS, IS FAST LOSING POPULARITY. HE IS IN A CONSTANT BICKER ITH COMMANDO LEADERS AND AS A RESULT IS FAST LOSING HIS INFLUENCE. 6. DISSEM: STATE ARMY NAVY AIR CINCHEAFSA USARE NO USAFE USCINGEUR CINCSOUTH CONSIXT HFLT CINCUSNAVE UR GP-1 650 SANITIZED per sec. 3.3(b)(1) PEODUCT NOTORN SEURET Norona NNNN 0.2012205 $7.00 Drv.35g RS ces CEIAED EEe/10/1ea SANITIZED COPY NLN 11-21/5836; p. 2 of 2 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. CODEWORD Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY DOCUMENT CONTROL RECORD ITEM REMOVED FROM THIS FOLDER MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/40 (1 pp.) EXEMPTED per sec 1.4(c),3.5 (c) E.O. 12958, as amended ltr. 5/6/2009 A RESTRICTED DOCUMENT OR CASE FILE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS FILE FOLDER. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE ITEM REMOVED AND THE REASON FOR ITS REMOVAL, CONSULT DOCUMENT ENTRY NUMBER 234 ON THE DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD (NA FORM 14021) LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THIS FILE FOLDER. PGH 10/20/2009 NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. NLRN Form 101 (revised 5/09) DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY DOCUMENT CONTROL RECORD ITEM REMOVED FROM THIS FOLDER MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/41 (1 pp.) EXEMPTED per sec 1.4(c),3.5 (c) E.O. 12958, as amended ltr. 5/6/2009 A RESTRICTED DOCUMENT OR CASE FILE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS FILE FOLDER. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE ITEM REMOVED AND THE REASON FOR ITS REMOVAL, CONSULT DOCUMENT ENTRY NUMBER 235 ON THE DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD (NA FORM 14021) LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THIS FILE FOLDER. PGH 10/20/2009 NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION NLRN Form 101 (revised 5/09) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY DOCUMENT CONTROL RECORD ITEM REMOVED FROM THIS FOLDER MANDATORY REVIEW REQUEST NLN 09-12/42 (1 pp.) EXEMPTED per sec 1.4(c),3.5 (c) E.O. 12958, as amended ltr. 5/6/2009 A RESTRICTED DOCUMENT OR CASE FILE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS FILE FOLDER. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE ITEM REMOVED AND THE REASON FOR ITS REMOVAL, CONSULT DOCUMENT ENTRY NUMBER 236 ON THE DOCUMENT WITHDRAWAL RECORD (NA FORM 14021) LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THIS FILE FOLDER. PGH 10/20/2009 NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION NLRN Form 101 (revised 5/09) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS PROJECT :: DOCUMENT CONTROL RECORD ITEM REMOVED FROM THIS FILE FOLDER A RESTRICTED DOCUMENT OR CASE FILE HAS BEEN REMOYED FROM THIS FILE FOLDER. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE item REMOVED AND THE REASON FOR ITS REMOVAL, CONSULT DOCUMENT ENTRY NUMBER 236 ON EITHER THE DOCUMENT WITHORAWAL RECORD (GSA FORM 7279 OR NA FORM 1421) OR NARA WITHORAWAL SHEET (GSA FORM 7122) LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THIS FILE FOLDER. NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION NLN Form 101 (revised, 6-85) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. PARTMENT OF STATE LDX CHANNEL MESSAGE COVER FORM MSG. NO. 2. TO: WH 605 TRANSMITTED BY: { DATE & TIME: ASTATE '70 AUG 13 AM 11:08 13 ORIGINATOR: S/S. 4. RECEIVED BY: SITUATION ROUSEM DATE & TIME: Tel to Beirut - President's reply to msg from DESCRIPTION: Patriarch Meouchi CLASSIFICATION & CONTROLS: CONFIDENTIAL X NO. OF PCS: 2 8. PRECEDENCE PRIORITY 9. VALIDATED VBY: FOR: CLEARANCE DELIVER TO: Mr. Henry A. Kissinger The White House INFORMATION (AHention :- Mr. Saunders) PER REQUEST Revised: 9 Jan. : 1970 DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12958, as amended, Sect 3.5 NLN 09-12/43: Per Lte 8-4-2009 By P.H NARA, Date 22-09 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. -P10-37 DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING 300.570 DEPARTMENT OF STATE CONFIDENTIAL Classification UNITED STATES OF Department of State ATE: TELEGRAM OLLECT HARGE TO SITUATION ROOM SITUATION ROOM WHITE WHITE HOUSE HOUSE '70 AUG 13 AM 11:09 09 STRIBUTION ACTION: Amembassy BEIRUT STATE SUBJECT: President's Reply to Message from Patriarch Meouchi 1. Following is message from President which Ambassador or designate may deliver orally to Patriarch Meouchi in reply to latter's letter delivered personally by Charles Malik in April. Letter SM should not RPT not be delivered until after Presidential election in order to avoid any possible misunderstanding. Text of letter follows: His Beatitude Eminence Paul Peter Cardinal Meouchi Patriarch of Antioch and All the East Bkerke, Lebanon Your Eminence: Thank you very much for your thoughtful letter of March 25 which Dr. Charles Malik was kind enough to deliver to me. I have appreciated receiving your message, and I want you to know that I am following developments in the Middle East closely. I am encouraged by the positive responses to our peace initiative and am} DRAC TING DATE TEL. EXT. APPROVED BY: INFTED BY: EA/ARN:TWScelye:no all 8/7/70 22670 NEA - Joseph J. Sisco CARANCES: NEA - Mr. Atherton XK S/S - White House - Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. (IN09-12/43 P. 2063] DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE/1909 DEPARTMENT OF STATE CONFIDENTIAL Classification of STATES X AND CHING AMERICA Department of State ICATE: TELEGRAM COLLECT CHARGE TO Page 2 - Amembassy BEIRUT DISTRIBUTION ACTION: hopeful that current negotiations will lead to a resolution of the Arab-Israeli problem. As you know, the preservation of Lebanon's independence and democratic way of life has long been important to the United States Government, and I can assure you that we continue to attach great importance to your nation's freedome and integrity. With my warm personal wishes. Sincerely yours, Richard Nixon. XXXX 2. If Meouchi asks for copy of text, you should indicate that you are only authorized to XXIXX convey orally and that there is no signed copy. END APTED BY: DRAFTING DATE TEL. CXT. APPROVED BY: EARANCES: CNLN09-12/43: P. 3063] Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. DECLASSIFIED This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.

nara / coll_rn-nsf / doc

LEBANON Vol. II February 1-December 31, 1970 [2 of 2]

ID: 266848781
Type: document

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