501.BB Palestine/6–1648
The Secretary of State to the Secretary-General of the United Nations (Lie)1
Excellency: I have the honor, with reference to your note to the United States Mission to the United Nations of June 15, 1948,2 requesting the loan of three naval coastal patrol vessels to the United Nations Mediator, Count Bernadotte, for his use in giving effect to the Security Council’s resolution of May 29, 1948 on Palestine, to inform you that the Secretary of National Defense of the United States has made available three destroyers now serving with the United States Mediterranean Fleet.
The Commander of the unit of these three United States Navy [Page 1141] destroyers will report to the United Nations Mediator for Palestine, through the United States Chargé d’Affaires at Cairo with the understanding that their employment shall be limited to transportation of persons and material in connection with supervision of the trace together with observation and reporting duties. In carrying out these duties, the commanding officers of the vessels are not authorized to employ force nor to stop or board shipping encountered.
Accept [etc.]