501.BB Palestine/6–1648: Telegram
The Chargé in Egypt (Patterson) to the Secretary of State
778. Count Bernadotte expressed himself to Ireland tonight as “reasonably encouraged” by progress in talks yesterday and today and at friendly, even conciliatory, attitude of Arab League POL Committee and of liaison subcommittee set up to work with him consisting of Egyptian Prime Minister Nokrashi Pasha, Lebanese Prime Minister [Page 1117] Al Sulh, Transjordan Prime Minister Abdul Hoda and Azzam Pasha. Bernadotte made no propositions but heard Arab complaints at violations truce which Bunche characterized as less violent than expected, and drew out by questions Arab views on future settlement. He has not yet proposed Arab-Jewish conference Rhodes but in response to suggestion that League might designate experts at working level to go Rhodes to supply detailed and technical knowledge for assistance his formulation proposals for settlement. Azzam Pasha named four in League note dated June 16. Those named are Abdul Moniem Mustafa, Egyptian Foreign Office and seconded to POL Section AL, Henri Cattan and Ahmad al Shukeri, lawyers of Palestine, and Abdul Rahman al Falahi, Iraqi Foreign Office.
Bernadotte and party go June 17 to Tel Aviv to hold similar conversations with Israelis.
Mediator reported by Bunche as encouraged by fact for first time since June 11 no violations truce reported today. Question convoys to Jerusalem still resolved [unresolved?] but in view necessity to move food and supplies to Jerusalem, UN will be asked tonight to expedite 50 additional guards to accompany convoys and to guard munitions and petrol dumps.
Arab League yesterday set up own report on observance truce consisting Arab consuls Palestine under chairmanship Takhiddin Solh. Arabs leaders here impressed with sincerity and integrity Bernadotte but regard prospects of acceptable solution as slight. It may be observed, however, that membership liaison subcommittee represents most moderate and conciliatory Arab leaders and should guarantee, notwithstanding Azzam’s declaration today that solutions involving partition or Jewish State would be rejected, consideration of reasonable compromise proposals.
Paraphrase to Arab capitals.