501.BB Palestine/6–248: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
secret
London, June 2,
1948—7 p. m.
2420. Following obtained informally from Burrows today regarding Palestine:
- 1.
- As British Delegation UN will explain to USUN today Foreign Office feels that while it agrees that other questions of interpretation should be left to Bernadotte, Foreign Office feels regarding paragraphs three and four of SC resolution Bernadotte should have guidance because HMG has already committed itself to Arabs regarding its interpretation, If Bernadotte should take contrary view, Arabs would claim that they had been tricked. Possible alternative, though less satisfactory, line would be Bernadotte ruling that men of military age should not be allowed enter Palestine until there are adequate safeguards to insure that these men are not used for military service (Department’s 2015 May 31 and 2026 June 11).
- 2.
- Foreign Office understands Bernadotte created favorable impression [Page 1093] Amman where he pleased Arabs by showing willingness make decisions and accept responsibility for implementation SC resolution.
- 3.
- Preliminary Foreign Office guidance comments to UK Delegation
regarding Israeli assumptions2 as given Radio Bulletin No. 696, June 2
were:
- Reference one, UK Delegation should give assurances regarding British stores ME;
- Reference two, this seems reasonable;
- Reference three, this seems reasonable subject to safeguards as to what constitutes “essentials” and “normal entry”;
- Reference four, HMG would prefer not to comment without further study;
- Reference five, see paragraph one above and previous.
Repeated Baghdad 60, Cairo 76, Beirut 26, Damascus 30, Jidda 72. Department please repeat Palestine.
Douglas