501.BB Palestine/9–1648: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Jerusalem

confidential
us urgent

908. Following message should be delivered to Count Bernadotte soon as possible:

US Govt refers to its previous exchange of views with Mediator concerning implementation of ban on war material prescribed by the [Page 1407] SC resolutions of May 29 and July 15, 1948, and particularly to four questions presented by this Govt to Mediator on July 16 and his answers thereto.

In accordance with desire of Mediator as expressed in his answer to question 3 the UK and US Govts have continued to discuss definition of “war material” within meaning of SC resolutions. In view of indefinite continuation of Palestine truce further consideration has been given in these discussions to outright ban on aircraft parts and replacements for Middle East civil airlines as recommended by the Mediator in his answer to question 1. As result of these discussions, it is view both Govts that such an inflexible policy, if continued indefinitely, could result in serious impairment of civil air transport and communications of states concerned. In fact, serious curtailment of air commerce in certain areas of Middle East is now imminent due to failure of airlines to obtain certain essential maintenance equipment. Such a result, it is felt, was not contemplated by UNSC action. Consequently, US recommends that Mediator consider following proposal:

(1)
That all civil airlines in Middle East be permitted to obtain abroad civil aircraft parts and replacements essential to maintenance of services which they operated as of date of commencement of present truce (July 15). This should also include airlines and air services in this area established since July 15 which the Mediator determines to be eligible.
(2)
That sales or exports of such parts and replacements be reported promptly to Mediator by Govt of country from which export is made.
(3)
That Mediator take note of quantities of such items supplied and notify all Govts concerned whenever he deems quantities are exceeding those necessary for maintenance existing services.
(4)
That all requests for aircraft parts and replacements for airlines or services not included in (1) above be referred to Mediator by Govt of exporting country before export is permitted. It is understood UK Govt will also forward a recommendation on this subject to the Mediator.

It is requested that Mediator advise US Govt as soon as possible whether he accepts above proposal. If not, Mediator is strongly urged to prescribe such other procedure as may meet the exigencies of situation.

If above proposal is approved, US Govt would require as basis for consideration of requests under (1) above certification from interested Middle East Govt that items were for approved purposes.

US Govt is concerned that control measures taken by it in cooperation with Mediator are not being observed by other states and that in some cases material denied from US sources is being obtained elsewhere. It is suggested that this situation, in some measure, could be remedied if the Mediator would communicate the revised lists of war material, when available, and the procedures affecting transfer of [Page 1408] marginal items, to all states, including both members of UN and non-members. Perhaps this could be accomplished most effectively through-official communication of SYG of UN.1

Marshall
  1. This telegram was repeated to Cairo as 1290 and to Baghdad, Beirut, Damascus, Jidda, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv. Jerusalem, on (September 18, reported that “General Riley and Bunche agree to proposals contained in Deptel 908” (telegram 1314, 501.BB Palestine/9–1848). The Presidential Embargo on the sale of spare parts to airlines in the Middle East was lifted on September 20 (letter of October 8 from the Embassy in Egypt to the Acting United Nations Mediator; copy transmitted to the Department by Cairo in despatch 844 the same day, 501.BB Palestine/10–848).