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 Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

top secret   us urgent
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London, May 27, 1948—7 p. m.

2311. For Secretary and Lovett from Douglas.

1. Further to my 2305, May 27.¹ I have just received from Bevin full text instructions under which UK delegation UN will deal with Palestine problem in SC today. Bevin referred to our meeting May 25 (Embassy’s 2267, May 25) and pointed out that these instructions go a long way towards what he hopes will be a closer alignment of UK–US policy. He directed particular attention to concluding section of these instructions authorizing Cadogan to say that if British resolution is adopted for standstill cease-fire, during this period Britain will even suspend the small arms deliveries HMG is still making under existing treaties to Egypt, Transjordan and Iraq. Moreover, without conditions, Cadogan is authorized to announce withdrawal from Palestine all British officers seconded to Arab Legion (21 officers and 5 men) and to say that payment Arab Legion subsidy (due July 1948) will be made only if in accord UN decisions.

2. Bevin hopes fervently that in the spirit of the ideas he advanced May 25 US Government will feel able to support British resolution, and that at the very least, US Government will not oppose it. In his view it is of the utmost importance that advantage be taken of presence of Arab League leaders in Amman for next 24 hours to press for cease-fire. Once leaders are scattered it may be difficult to reassemble them and meanwhile emotions in Palestine, Iraq, Syria, and Egypt may grow so intense that it will be impossible for leaders to accept any cease-fire.

3. Bevin hopes that US Government if it supports or acquiesces in British resolution, will parallel his efforts with the Arabs by steps designated to secure Jewish acceptance standstill cease-fire under terms of British resolution.²

4. Summary British instructions appears in next following telegram.

Douglas

1. Not printed.
2. Mr. Bevin, in the morning of May 28, reiterated to Ambassador Douglas “his very strong hope” that the United States would support the British proposals in the Security Council. The Ambassador, in reporting this information to the Department the same day, observed that “the British proposals provide a substantial satisfaction of our general position, and that since the British are sincerely attempting to meet us and to move hand in hand with us in the Middle East, we should, on our part, acknowledge their sincere efforts in this direction by agreeing to their proposals.” (Telegram 2316 from London, 501.BB Palestine/5–2848)