DECLASSIFIED Authority 13 44 3 445 HIE COPY Mia 4423 HECLASSIFIED Autho tyw This document consists of page - of Li Copies Series I Memorandum for the Heth II- SubJecta to be Raised by the mith States A Tall-dag Outline on United states-Ismael Relations Arab Refugees and Israel's Nuclear Program A l lam-mud States Paper Arab Papa 1-3 Im'al s Melee Ploy-an Discussion Papar Suibjecta it in Anticipated Mr Ben-Guion W111 Ra ch B Talking Outline and amperting Discussion Papa's 13-1 Isranl'u Sactn'ity Pm'blamsu 3-2 Jbrdan Valley Water Dmlognant 13-3 Role in Middle Eastern Problem M Israel's Relations with Nam-Arab W3 13-5 martian Key to Stability IV Biography 01' Prim Miniatu- Ben-Guion DECLASSIFIED i Authority NNDq l it 7 0 some WEBMM Subject Your Meeting with Israel Prime Minister Ben-Gurion Ben-Garion'e se The Israelis have indicated that in his tall with you in New for on May 3 Prime Minister Ben-Gurion 1will concentrate on two subjects a Israel's Security Problem With reference to Israel's security Mr Ben-amiss will no doubt stress that the Arab unli- tary threat is increasingly serious and that Israel is bigl a vulnerable to a surprise air attack He will probany urge some sort of security declaration from us as well as substantial JEilitai aid particularly the supply oi ground-to-air missiles Hawks Israel's Atomic WActivities Mr Ben-61mins thi'e past Mom end Tannery assured us that Israel's new reactor at Dianna is to be utilized so er for peaceful purposes It is not inconceivable that in his talk with you he will contend that the growing Arab threat leaves Israel with no alternative but to develop a nuclear military capability primarily for deterrent purposes The Arab Factor As you know we hate been swat concerned about Arab repercussions to Ben-Gurion's visit here bers has been a rest Arab tendency to view the new Administration as partial to Israel she tethering of this suspicion would inevitably Arab ill-win thus handicapping any efforts we midi-l wish to undertake to assist in resolving Arab-Israel differen- ces and also having wider implications such as rendering more difficult Ambassador Stevenson a task in securing ferorable votes at the mites nations on issues vital to our national interest For t mna l'n lg l your recent talk lth UAR Aribassedor Kennel and the recent letters which you dispatched to Arab leaders have had favorable effects including the cushioning of Arab reactions to Mr Ben-Gurion's visit Bur MEG In our View the Ban-Gurion visit affords an opportunity to advance our purposes in the Middle East Specifically we would hope that through your in uence Mr Ben-Gorgon can be impressed with the realization that the never to Israel's futon- lies not in sane sort of Fortress Israel concept but in Israel initiatirss and cooperation in moves designiedr ultimately to mine Israel an accepted member in the Middle East family of nations If we are to hope to break the our more dangerous Arab-Israel impasse and if so are to region some degree of Arab confidence in us there must be a significant unilateral concession by Israel Arab Refugee App-seem We would hope especially that you can persuade Mr Ben-Mien to cooperate in the approach which is being by the Palestine Conciliation Con ssion with a View toward making progress on the Arab refugee problem Such progress is important and logical for many SECRET uq I lu I Authority 7 DECLASSIFIED -2- 3350116 not the least of which is that it might well prove to be the key to the ultimate Arab-Israel moans vivendi we all seek Outline With the foregoing in mind we are proposing in the ace ri materials Talking Outline uhich suggests you empha- size to Mr Ben-curios the uniquely close ties which bind our two countries together and which should he a source of assurance to Israel In the deed for progress on the refugee question and specifically the need for a significant gesture by Israel on the key element of repatriation and Our firm opposition to Israel's developing a nuclear military capability both because of global and Middle East considerations Since Mr Ben-Gurion has a tendency to speak at length before allowing interruption last year he spoke over an hour before President Eisenhower could speak you may wish to make the three points in the Talking Outline at the start of your meeting with the Prime Minister Contingency Subjects We are or course aware of Israel's legitimate defense nes fa our position on this matter is set forth in the first of a umber of contingency papers which are included in the briefing materiel Dean Rusk Enclosure mating Book Authority NNoq i iG7o SECRET ms Discussion Elihe United States is in a particularly vulnerable position vis-a-vis Israel s nuclear program It is the one poster which could exert sufficient pressure to assure that Israel's program is not directed to military uses yet wills wills it finds itself the guarantor of Israel's peaceful intent Moreover Israel will look to the Uhitad States for political and financial support of the program regardless of the manner in which it develops the 13 3 has the findings of Dre Croach and Staebler who visited the reactor but this covers only present activities Certain knowledge of the program's puipose can only be obtained by similar visits at frequent intervals Any protracted exclusion of foreign visitors could imply one of two almost equally objectionable Israel decisions Ea to embark on production of fissionabls material for weapons manufacture or to give the appearance of having decided to do so in order to intimidate its Arab neighbors Ellie first is unacceptable by reason of our opposition $9 the proliferation of ethnic weapons and the second because it might set off violence ranting from an Arab mood of desperation 'Jha Israelis should be in no doubt as to the importance with which the ILS regards this dmlopnent 'Jhere should be continued access for Free World scientists preferably from an incrEasing number of countries 'Ihe LS should oppose concealment of Israel's intentions even if these be peaceful because orthe unsettling effect any doubt would have on an area with a highly explosive potential in the best of circumstances Considering Isracl' entrees dependence on foreign contributions nuclear development sense a field of endeavor 1which Is mighLI-tell haveleft to larger powers Em they find the cost burdensome and the Uhited states is no en- captiou 1ii'hile Israel may plead its reliance on technological to improve the lot of its people 1Ivlho are confined to an area singularly poor in natural resources there has been no disposition on the part of her friends to deny her the fruits of their research Israel argues its exposed position militarily and its precarious econoaic situation as Justi catim To Mill its raison d'etre - provide a Secure homeland for Java who desire political modes of their on making Israel argues it must compensate for the deficicies of a sterile laud Nuclear research will train a cadre of scientists and technicians 1who will be able to exploit for the cosmos good any permitting production of atomic energy on an economic basis Israel may suggest it will not attempt weapons production but is not pre- pared to put itself at a disadvantage with the Arabs by publicly foreseearing this possibility Nor will it wish to throw the reactor site open to inter- national inspection asserting that no matter how innocent the reactor s purpose it can be made the subject of controversy and public speculation by any visiting delegation bent on embarrassing Israel or inflaming area tensions DECLASSIFIED FAutho ty - 2 Israel may suggest it is unable to mount an stasis program on its own financial resources without curtailment of other proJects equally to its pursuit of econanic viability and ask the united States to contribute materials and 893 1th in return for Israel s assurances that the fruits of the program 1311 1 be devoted to the am good 0mm DECLASSIFIED Authority 5mm M's mum moms L Hamilton E Meyer m-