501.BB Palestine/6–743
Memorandum by Mr. Robert M. McClintock to the Chief of the Shipping Division (Saugstad)
I attach a copy of the resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council on May 29, looking toward a cessation of hostilities and a four-weeks’ cease-fire in Palestine. You will note that Article 3 of this resolution reads as follows:
“Calls upon all Governments and authorities concerned to undertake that they will not introduce fighting personnel into Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Transjordan and Yemen during the cease fire.”
The adoption of the Security Council’s resolution imposes an obligation on this government as a member of the Council and the United Nations for its strict compliance. UNA would appreciate your courtesy in drawing the attention of American shipping companies which trade to Palestine to the provisions of the resolution as cited above, and informally to urge these companies to refrain from carrying any passengers who might be considered as “fighting personnel” from American ports to Palestine during the period of the cease-fire. Although the United Nations Mediator, Count Bernadotte, has not yet given a definition of the term “fighting personnel”, it would seem prudent for American shipping companies to regard any male of military age traveling to Palestine as potential fighting personnel unless the person in question can prove conclusively that his journey to Palestine is intended for an exclusively civilian pursuit and that appropriate safeguards will be offered to ensure that he will not become available to increase the military potential of the country to which he is bound.
You will note that the same requirements apply also to persons who might possibly constitute “fighting personnel” destined for the Arab countries of the Near East, and similar precautions should be used by American shipping companies with respect to passengers for Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Transjordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Yemen.
For purposes of coordination, NE (Mr. Gordon Mattison) will have general supervision over controls of the nature outlined above.