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

501.BB Palestine/9–1748: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom

top secret

Washington, September 18, 1948—2 p. m.

3690. For Ambassador Douglas.

(1) We agree (para 2 Embtel 4153, Sept. 17) Bernadotte report may be published as early as Sept. 20.

(2) Secretary will make decision in Paris (para 6). Confidentially our present inclination is to make statement there before British.

(3) Sec plans leave Washington early afternoon Sept. 19, arriving in Paris Sept. 20.

(4) We are preparing US statement (para 8) which Sec will probably take with him for discussion with GADel Paris following arrival.

Sent London, repeated Paris for Jessup and McClintock in reply Delga 59, Sept. 18.¹

Marshall

1. Not printed; Mr. McClintock, in this message to Messrs. Lovett and Rusk, recommended strongly that there be no ten-day delay in publishing the Bernadotte report and concluded: “Bernadotte’s death will give maximum weight to recommendations in his report. I feel that if report is issued promptly, there will still be sufficient time for diplomatic preparation, particularly since British already contemplate swift action.” (501.BB/9–1848)