890B.00/9–2347: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Iraq
399. In response Iraqi note quoted Embtel 414 Sept 231 following reply should be sent FonOff:
“Embassy of US presents its compliments to Ministry Foreign Affairs Iraq and has honor acknowledge receipt Ministry’s note Sept 22, in which attention US Govt is drawn to certain resolutions approved by Political Committee Arab League Sept 19 re problem of Palestine.
In reply Embassy is instructed state that Govt US cannot accept allegation of responsibility which Iraqi Govt places upon it ‘for any [Page 1200] events which may develop should any decision be taken tending to prejudice right of Palestine become independent Arab State.’ The Iraqi Govt must be aware that whatever recommendation may be made by GAUN affecting Palestine will be collective responsibility that organization, reflecting world opinion, and not responsibility of any individual nation. Any other interpretation of UN action would, in opinion US Govt, be contrary to spirit of Charter. It would likewise be contrary to fact, as US Govt has sought to impose no unilateral solution Palestine problem but has advocated finding by UN of fair and just solution which would command support of world opinion.
Embassy is instructed further to state that Govt US considers as entirely unfounded implication that it has provided material or given moral support or encouragement to any organization or body providing assistance to organizations engaged in terrorist operations in Palestine. The attitude of this Govt is reflected in the statement made by President on June 5 in which he declared his opposition to any and all activities in support terrorism in Palestine. In that statement he urged ‘every citizen and resident of U.S., in interests of this country, of world peace, and of humanity, meticulously to refrain, while UN is considering problem of Palestine, from engaging in, or facilitating, any activities which tend further to inflame passions of inhabitants of Palestine, to undermine law and order in Palestine, or to promote violence in that country.’
In conclusion Embassy is instructed to state that it is the view of US Govt that responsibility for govt of Palestine continues to rest with Mandatory Power.
Embassy avails itself, etc.”2
- Not printed; the note was dated September 22. For information on notes received from various Arab states on the Palestine question, see editorial note, p. 1158.↩
- Replies of virtually identical character were sent to the Governments of Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt in telegrams 234 to Damascus and 468 to Beirut, both dated October 22, 6 p. m., and 1506, October 31, 7 p. m., to Cairo (867N.01/9–2247, 9–2547, and 10–147). According to airgram 169, October 23, no reply was made to the note from Transjordan since the United States had not accorded recognition to that country (867N.01/9–2947).↩