501.BB Palestine/8–248: Telegram
The Acting United States Representative at the United Nations (Jessup) to the Secretary of State
restricted
New York, August 2,
1948—6:56 p. m.
981. Urtel 485, July 291: UN received today from Rhodes following answers to questions presented by Jessup to Mediator July 16.
- 1.
- Mediator has been informed by UK that there is no embargo on “spare parts of British aircraft already serving civil airlines in Middle East, when British Government is satisfied that spare parts are genuinely required in order to keep an existing fleet in the air.” Mediator thinks it would be more satisfactory if such transfer of parts and accessories were limited to non-Arab and non-Israeli civil airlines and subject to prior consent of the Mediator. The same should apply to aircraft replacements.
- 2.
- The question of borderline items is very delicate; according to UK “lorries and jeeps are essential to maintenance of civil communications in Middle East and have no direct military value.” The last part of this statement is not shared by all military experts and Mediator thinks only export of passenger cars should be permitted without obtaining his prior consent. He is now equipped to answer promptly if consulted regarding items not included in the list furnished him.
- 3.
- Supervision of imports of war material contrary to SC resolution will be more effective in view of greater number of observers and observation means to be put at Mediator’s disposal. As regards ban imposed by exporting countries, Mediator would appreciate if from time to time conversations between countries principally concerned resulted in agreed revised lists of war material. Mediator if desired could furnish information at his disposal and even be represented in conversations.
- 4.
- The Mediator would greatly appreciate being informed of the details of such reports as the US believes reliable.
Jessup