501.BB Palestine/8–148: Telegram
The Consul General at Jerusalem (Macdonald) to the Secretary of State
niact
1147. For personal attention Secretary Marshall. Before mentioning or discussing subject Deptel 778, July 28, see my telegram 1146, August 1.
Bernadotte reviewed Palestine situation in general and was very frank in admitting his discouragement and disappointment with the present state of affairs. The Mediator then said “I hope you do not mind if I speak quite frankly to you and I would say the same things to Secretary of State Marshall if he were here, so will you please convey the following for his personal attention. I am very disappointed and discouraged with the lack of support from the United Nations and particularly with the apparent noncooperative attitude of the United States in providing me with the necessary material support in carrying out my mission as Mediator. It is impossible for me to supervise the observance of the truce without sufficient staff and equipment. I regret therefore to request you to inform Secretary Marshall that I am not prepared to continue under such conditions and unless the required personnel and equipment are forthcoming at once I shall feel forced to resign as Mediator.”
It is perfectly true that Count Bernadotte cannot hope to accomplish his mission with the small force he now has. Two weeks have elapsed since the truce went into effect during which time the Mediator has been powerless to carry out properly its supervision which has resulted in the UN rapidly losing prestige on both sides. Consequently, the situation has deteriorated steadily, making it more difficult and probably impossible to demilitarize Jerusalem. To date Mediator’s staff consists of 30 American observers, 50 French, 47 Belgians, and 10 Swedes, most of whom have arrived during the past five days.
In my opinion the resignation of Bernadotte at this time over the above issue would preclude any possibility of the United Nations [Page 1266] finding a solution to the Palestine problem. The US, I feel, would be blamed also by both sides for unfortunate unforeseen consequences on the grounds that it supported the UN on the Palestine issue. Therefore, every possible support should be given Bernadotte in his effort to solve this problem.
Bernadotte will be in Jerusalem August 3 for short time if Department should care for me to deliver any message to him.