Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V, Part 2

501.BB Palestine/5–2748: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin)

confidential

Washington, May 27, 1948—4 p. m.

331. Following is draft instructions which have not been finally cleared but which are forwarded for your study pending clearance:

1. The attitude of the US remains the same as that expressed by us in the meeting of the SC on May 17. We believe that the situation in Palestine constitutes a threat to the peace and a breach of the peace and that the SC should order the parties to bring about a cessation of hostilities. We do not wish at this time to charge either party as being an aggressor.¹ The SC did not accept our resolution of May 17 and we went along with the proposed action under Chap. VI in the hope that such action might succeed in bringing about a cease-fire. Thus far that has not been the result. We would, therefore, be glad to hear the views of the other members of the Council as to how the Council might now proceed.

2. Although the position of the US continues to be that stated in para. one above, nevertheless the Arab replies might open up the possibility of a short unconditional cease-fire, say for two weeks, during which time the Jews and Arabs could negotiate through the Truce Commission and the Mediator the conditions for a longer truce or even for a final political settlement. We do not believe the US should appear to weaken its position by urging such temporary solution in the SC. That should be the responsibility of the UK since they have opposed Chap. VII action and have strongly urged negotiations under Chap. VI. You should, therefore, privately indicate to the UK Delegation that if there is to be any further breathing spell for negotiations under Chap. VI they must take initiative in the SC. Further, we believe that additional delays are unsatisfactory unless such delays are accompanied by an immediate cease-fire. Extension of the deadline accompanied by a continuation of the fighting is no proper basis for SC action at this time.²

3. With regard to Jerusalem, the US supports any move to bring about a truce in Jerusalem. However, in order not to appear to be weakening our position, initiative in bringing about a special arrangement for Jerusalem must be assumed by another member of the Council. We presume Parodi will be willing to take such initiative. In supporting special arrangements for Jerusalem, you should point out that we have not changed our attitude toward the whole of Palestine (see para. one above) but we would welcome a truce in Jerusalem and would hope that such a truce would lead promptly to a truce for the whole of the country.

Lovett

1. The Department, on May 29, quoted this sentence in a further message to New York and emphasized that “Our purpose is to achieve a cessation of hostilities in Palestine and your statements should be couched in language which will achieve this end.” (Telegram 346, 501.BB Palestine/5–2848)
2. For Ambassador Austin’s statement along these lines before the Security Council on May 27, see SC, 3rd yr., No. 75, p. 14.