Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V, Part 2

501.BB Palestine/9–1048

The Secretary of State to Mr. Robert M. McClintock

top secret

Washington, September 10, 1948.

Sir: You are directed to proceed at the earliest opportunity to Rhodes to consult with the United Nations Mediator Count Bernadotte who, pursuant to the General Assembly’s Resolution of May 14, 1948, is endeavoring to arrange a peaceful adjustment of the situation of Palestine.¹

You are authorized to inform Count Bernadotte of the views of this Government with respect to such a peaceful adjustment of the situation of Palestine. In communicating this Government’s views to the Mediator you will be guided by the suggestions set forth in the Department’s telegram to Tel Aviv No. 72 of September 1, which was approved by the President on that date. It is understood that your conversations with Count Bernadotte will be concurrent with, but not necessarily a joint representation of, similar conversations to be had with the Mediator by representatives of the United Kingdom.

You are authorized at your discretion to visit the Mediator in other localities than Rhodes, if he cannot be found in that place. You are further authorized in your discretion to consult with the American Ambassador in Cairo.

You should report the results of your conversations with the Mediator to the American Delegation to the General Assembly of the United Nations at Paris en route to Washington.²

Sincerely yours,

G. C. Marshall

1. The Department, on September 9, had informed London of its anxiety “to concert with British on immediate approach to UN Mediator re possible terms of territorial settlement in Palestine, upon which our two Governments are now in general agreement” and of its “desire to have top secret conversations with Mediator as soon as possible” through Mr. McClintock (telegram 3573, 501.BB Palestine/9–348).
2. The Department, on September 10, directed Cairo as follows: “With utmost secrecy inform Bernadotte and Bundle [of] McClintock’s impending arrival and nature conversations he authorized undertake. We re-emphasize need for absolute secrecy. In response chance inquiry from outsiders, it can be said that purpose McClintock’s flight Near East is to study Arab refugee problem in which Secretary has expressed deep personal interest.” (Telegram 1253, 501.BB Palestine/9–1048) This communication noted also that Mr. McClintock planned to fly directly to Rhodes on September 11.