501.BB Palestine/10–2048: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State
Delga 425. For Satterthwaite and McClintock from Kopper. Oral reply was made to Fawzi Bey today in accordance with Department’s instructions (Gadel 247, October 191). Fawzi Bey seemed distinctly disappointed. He then made following points:
- 1.
- US reply to his urgent inquiry was not sufficient at all. It was off the mark and indicates too much complacency in sense that US seems to be waiting on SC action instead of stirring SC into action. Situation in Palestine and its environs deteriorating rapidly. Security of Arab states gravely endangered.
- 2.
- Shipment of arms should really be stopped to Jews as well as Arabs or else Arabs should be allowed to obtain arms for self-defense.
- 3.
- UK is exceeding terms of SC truce resolution by volunteering self-imposed obligation not to allow Egyptians to obtain arms stored in Egypt although belonging to UK. This not in accord with 1936 [Page 1500] treaty. Jews continue to arm by obtaining munitions, planes, pilots. This is well known whether we admit it officially or not. Dangerous difference in armament between Jews and Arabs growing. Arabs should have enough arms to defend themselves. They are not asking for arms to drive Jews into sea, only enough to defend selves.
- 4.
- Egyptians hoped closer cooperation between UK and US might make it possible for US to indicate informally to UK that balance between Arabs and Jews should be rectified. Egyptian Ambassador London taking this up with British Government. Likewise representations being made at Cairo to British Ambassador.
- 5.
- Fawzi Bey says difficulties of US are recognized by Egyptian Government and delegation. To Arabs, however, it is not only question of difficulties but life and existence as independent nations. Economically Egypt and Arab states already severely disrupted and social structure dangerously shaken. Far-reaching repercussions may result. In meantime situation cannot serve as basis for any solid cooperation between Arab part of world and western powers.
- 6.
- Many Egyptians and Egypt delegation Paris have been exerting exceptional efforts to improve atmosphere between Egypt and western powers. What is happening in and around Palestine now can set back these efforts.
- 7.
- Time is running fast. At earliest possible moment we should start to build together for all eventualities, for peace as well as war.
- 8.
- Fawzi Bey suggested there were several ways to help:
- a.
- British should announce that because of the serious discrepancy resulting from Israeli arming, shipments would be released to Arab countries of stocks stored in those countries. Continued arming of Israeli[s] is not a contribution toward peace and balance should be preserved. Fawzi described this as the formal legal way. It was pointed out to him that such a course would simply precipitate an armaments race since Israel would commence pressure to raise embargo.
- b.
- US might confidentially intimate to UK that stocks should be released in order to rectify the balance. This was described as an extra legal way. It was pointed out that besides other considerations, same thing would happen here as in first alternative.
- c.
- There should be an immediate formation of military force on behalf of UN. Formation of such a force could be organized in way in which SCTC was established so that there would be no Soviet participation. Such a force is immediately required.
- d.
- It was suggested to Fawzi that the most effective means of correcting situation was to make the embargo really effective. Fawzi thought this was not enough since the Israeli[s] had a superfluity of arms now. The lack of balance would continue to exist.
- 9.
- Arab refugees must be given assurance of opportunity to return to their homes. Stopgap aid was not enough—people were dying every day. Each day that passes makes the plight of the refugees more critical.
Fawzi Bey’s attitude today reflects attitude expressed by Khashaba [Page 1501] Pasha2 last night. Khashaba was quite distressed that SC had taken no real and constructive action on Palestine question yesterday. He said security of Egyptian and Arab states was menaced. Other questions such as self-determination, humanitarianism were now becoming somewhat secondary to security of Arab states in face of continued Israeli advances.
Sent Department Delga 425; repeated London 1088. Department please repeat Cairo as 81. [Kopper.]