506. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State1
95. Re Palestine. Following letter given us today by Cordier (UN):2
“Pursuant to our conversation at the luncheon this noon, I am stating herewith in writing the wish of the Secretary-General to secure the assistance of the Governments of the Soviet Union, the U.S., the UK and France in connection with the present tension between Israel and Jordan.
“During the last two or three days incidents have occurred which are of a serious character. As a result, the SYG yesterday, through General Burns, made oral démarches both to Israel and Jordan on the situation stating, in substance, that the most recent incidents have elements of a clear breach of the cease-fire assurance given to the UN and representing a solemn undertaking by both governments. The incidents were also in sharp contrast to the conclusions which he felt justified from his recent talks. Under the circumstances it might be necessary to circulate without delay, a report on the developments to the members of the SC. He requested the governments to take at once the most rigorous steps to forestall any repetition of what has recently happened and to inform him of the measures taken. If the situation does not improve it might be necessary for him to call a meeting of the SC. He felt entitled to cooperation from the governments which will make such action unnecessary. He concluded by saying that in order to be able, if necessary, to bring full weight of the United Nations to bear on the situation, he planned with a change in previous schedules to return immediately to New York.
“The SYG feels that an appeal to the two governments from the four countries mentioned above may prove most effective at this [Page 903] stage. It might be put in the form of a strong request for a strict adherence to the cease-fire agreed to with the SYG in April, and to take all the necessary measures to ensure that the cease-fire is, in fact, maintained.
“On behalf of the SYG and myself I want to thank you for the prompt attention that you may give to this matter.”
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.85/7–2656. Confidential; Priority. Received at 8:24 p.m.↩
- Wadsworth earlier in the day had informed the Department that Cordier had just received an urgent message from Hammarskjöld in Geneva requesting Cordier to ask the United States to make the strongest possible and most urgent representations to both the Israelis and the Jordanians to initiate measures to relieve current tensions. (Telegram 91 from USUN; ibid.)↩