683.84A/8–351: Telegram
The Ambassador in Israel (Davis) to the Department of State 1
111. Pursuant to Deptel 76, July 262 I took occasion when calling on DirGen FonOff Eytan at his request to mention informally importance Israel’s full compliance with SC May 18 res. Mention was made of unfavorable impression created by Israel delay in initial compliance with res and bad polit effect in Syria and elsewhere of statements at time over radio and in press to effect stoppage did not mean anything, was only a token and wld be for short period which was exactly specified. Such statements obviously prevented Israel from deriving any internatl polit advantage from work stoppages.
Eytan appeared to follow above line of reasoning but said his govt felt it had complied fully with May 18 res and other dictates UNTSO. (Incidentally FonOff advised that ltr of Col Taxis to Horowitz which was subject Embtels 59 and 60, July 203 was later withdrawn.) Eytan pointed out that Arabs removed from demil zone by Israel Govt had been given opportunity to say whether they wished to return and those, so desiring had been returned. He added, however that former residents who had fled to Syria are not being permitted to return, thus indicating no change in policy of continuing control of demil zone.
In conclusion he reiterated that his govt intends to cooperate fully with UN and believes it has complied with May 18 res. I made no attempt discuss details of compliance, which is matter between Israel Govt and UN, but warned against placing too much confidence in unilateral interpretations with which UN auths might not concur as was done prior to passage May 18 res.
Comment: Emb agrees it was wise postpone report on or discussion of Israel non-compliance Huleh res until after elections as public blissfully unaware any deficiencies in Israel’s compliance and govt apparently once more has fallen under spell of its own legalistic reasoning. It is believed accordingly that Israel Govt and public are in danger of repeating mistakes which led to May 18 res. If Dept and Gen Riley concur, it is recommended therefore that bill of particulars re respects in which Israel compliance with May 18 res is unsatisfactory shld be given to Israel FonMin before any report on subject is made public.