501.BB Palestine/3–1748: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
urgent
305. Eyes only for McClintock from Rusk. Ambassador Austin met today at 11:15 a. m. with Cadogan, Parodi and Tsiang (Tsiang was accompanied by one adviser) to discuss Palestine matter. Cadogan was present as an observer only.
The first item discussed was a draft set of conclusions which might be furnished jointly to the Security Council as a result of the recent consultations among the permanent members. The text of such conclusions follows:
[Here follow draft conclusions; for the draft as subsequently amplified, see telegram 953, March 18, to London, page 739.]
Following brief discussion of the above points, Austin referred to Tsiang’s statement yesterday that a truce would be possible only if the truce applied both in the military and the political field. Tsiang had spoken of a “moratorium”. Austin also referred to Tsiang’s report that each of the six Arab states had told him that they would cooperate in every way with a truce if the implementation of partition is suspended.
Austin then said that the United States was primarily interested in maintaining the peace in the Palestine situation and in finding a peaceful solution within the framework of the United Nations. This was based not only upon our regard for the United Rations but also upon very serious humanitarian interests which are now at stake. He said that we therefore wished to do everything we could to meet the views of others, particularly of the permanent members, because he felt that those present could, by agreement, find a peaceful result.
Austin continued that we were concerned with the implications of a political moratorium in view of the situation which could be expected on May 15 upon termination of the mandate. He stated that he would like to propose to those present some additions to the conclusions already discussed, which, if accepted by them as a joint approach, might meet the situation on a realistic basis. He then read parts of a draft statement which he was considering making to the Security Council at an early date:
[Here follows draft statement, which in somewhat altered form was used by Ambassador Austin before the Security Council on March 19; see page 742.]
Austin underlined that we looked upon a trusteeship as a temporary arrangement designed primarily to maintain the peace and would be [Page 737] entirely without prejudice to the nature of an eventual political settlement.
[Here follows further discussion by Ambassador Austin with the representatives of the United Kingdom, France, and China.]
It is most urgent that the Department communicate immediately with London, Paris and Nanking calling this new approach to their attention and strongly urge upon those governments to cooperate in an effort to maintain governmental authority in Palestine in such a way as to preserve the peace. It was clear from the nature of the discussion this morning that Tsiang and Parodi were both personally very favorably inclined to the idea. A joint approach by those represented at today’s meeting would make a great impression on world opinion, would substantially strengthen the hand of the United Nations in dealing with this question, and would probably be supported by nine of the members of the Security Council.
Senator Austin impressed upon those present the great need for the utmost secrecy in dealing with this matter before the presentation of the joint views to the Security Council. Hence, any communications to London, Paris and Nanking should emphasize the implications which would be caused by premature leaks. [Rusk.]