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

501.BB Palestine/10–1348: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt

secret

Washington, October 21, 1948—7 p. m.

1455. Dept considers security of ME would probably be strengthened if large part Arab Palestine were incorporated in Transjordan after satisfactory solution problem demarcation Arab-Israel frontiers reached through UN (ur 1485 Oct 13). We agree however that continued Brit insistence on merging Arab Palestine with Transjordan may have adverse effects Arab capitals.

Dept would not object to acquisition by Egypt small portion of Arab Palestine, in line with Mediator’s conclusion 4–c. However, Egypt has apparently so far shown no desire to do so. We believe it preferable that matter be raised by Egypt on own initiative and independently.

Re final para reftel, while Bernadotte may have held views in Aug as reported ur 1105 [1103–A],¹ he definitely on Sep 14 rejected UK suggestion that Syria profit by partition of Arab Palestine. Bernadotte also applied same reasoning to Lebanon. Foregoing for your info only.²

Lovett

1. See footnote 2, p. 1472.
2. This telegram was repeated to London and Paris, for GADel.