501.BB Palestine/5–1348
Memorandum for the Files by Mr. Robert M. McClintock
Dr. Jessup telephoned me at 9:20 a. m. to inquire to what extent he had leeway to accept verbal modifications of the resolution which the President approved yesterday for General Assembly action on Palestine. Dr. Jessup also wished to know with respect to Article IV (“The General Assembly, as of this date, discharges the Palestine Commission from the further exercise of responsibilities under its Resolution 181 (II) of November 29, 1947”) what action he should take if other delegations, as he thought probable, would seek to amend this article in order to further diminish the effect of the resolution of November 29.
I referred Dr. Jessup’s inquiry to Mr. Lovett, who said that the delegation should keep in close touch with the Department on any verbal changes and that our delegation should be careful to accept no alterations which would change the sense of our proposed draft resolution. As for our attitude on proposals further to diminish the effect of the resolution of November 29 Mr. Lovett said that, since we were acting in the Assembly and no veto applied, we should vote “No” on any amendment which would seek further to reduce the effect of the resolution of November 29.
Mr. Lovett confirmed this instruction by reference to the White House and so informed me at 10 a. m.
At 10:01 a. m. I communicated the foregoing to Mr. Ross in New York City, who said that he would at once get in touch with Dr. Jessup, who was then en route to Lake Success.