Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, The Far East, Volume V

867N.01/2255: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Egypt (Kirk)⁷⁵

Washington, March 15, 1944—9 p.m.

531. Your 593, March 11, 7 p.m. In replying to the Egyptian Prime Minister you may state that the President in fact authorized the statement made by Zionist leaders and that this statement was substantially as summarized in your 585, March 11, 8 a.m.⁷⁶ You should point out that the statement of the Zionist leaders mentions a Jewish national home rather than a Jewish commonwealth as referred to in the resolutions recently introduced into Congress. You should say that while it is true that the American Government has never given its approval to the White Paper of 1939, it is also true that this Government has never taken a position with regard to the White Paper. You should in addition assure Nahas that it is the view of this Government that no decision altering the basic situation of Palestine should be reached without full consultation with both Arabs and Jews.

Repeat to Beirut, Damascus, Jerusalem and Jidda for their information. A separate message is being sent to Baghdad.⁷⁷

Hull

75. Marginal notation on the original: “Approved by the President”.
76. Not printed.
77. As telegram 34, March 15, 6 p.m., with the following instruction: “You may reply along similar lines to the Iraqi Government (your 56, March 11, 9 a.m.) if approached by the latter.” (867N.01/2254)