260. Telegram From the Embassy in Israel to the Embassy in Egypt1
70. For Ambassador Byroade. Gideon Rafael requests that Jackson be informed that Rafael is flying to Cyprus tomorrow (Monday), arriving there about 2:30 p.m. He suggests Jackson could meet him there.
For your information: Embassy believes GOI increasing anxiety contact Jackson arises from continued Egyptian troop movements northward. Rafael informed Embassy counselor GOE troops moving up to El Arish and Elaiya. (Foreign liaison, confidentially, confirms foregoing to USARMA and adds that a third Egyptian column with armor is also moving northward, destination unknown. Each of these groups reputed brigade strength.) GOI also concerned implication report GOE had ordered evacuation from Gaza all army dependents.
Rafael said that GOI accepting Burns cease-fire proposal subject Egyptians doing same; opined Burns had about reached end his rope; suggested someone should intervene with Egyptians to “save them from falling before it is too late.” In reply to question whether this his personal or official opinion, Rafael replied it was personal.
Embassy would appreciate your analysis foregoing information.2
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/9–455. Secret; Priority. Received at 9:20 a.m. The source text is the copy sent to the Department of State as telegram 220. Passed to the Departments of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force.↩
- Byroade replied that the latest information from Cairo regarding Egyptian troop movements had been transmitted via military messages to Washington and to the U.S. Army Attaché at Tel Aviv.Byroade also informed the Embassy in Tel Aviv that Jackson had departed Cairo on the morning of September 4 for Cyprus and Tel Aviv. (Telegram 49 to Tel Aviv, September 5, repeated to the Department as telegram 400;ibid., 674.84A/9–555)↩