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

501.BB Palestine/10–2048: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Delegation at Paris

secret
us urgent

Washington, October 23, 1948—11 a. m.

Gadel 286. For Rusk from Lovett. Line reasoning advanced Delga 424, Oct. 20, seems perfectly sound if applied to long-range relief program which we all agree should preferably be UN responsibility if members UN rise to occasion and appropriate actual cash or materials in kind.

We are however confronted with immediate emergency if there are to be any refugees left alive by time UN swings into action. I have discussed matter with President and he shares our view that Red Cross best geared for prompt measures. Amcross stands ready to move immediately and we are urgently exploring legal basis which might permit President as Commander in Chief to instruct armed services to turn over needed supplies to Amcross, which in turn could arrange for distribution Middle East. There is no thought undercutting UN but merely an earnest desire to get supplies to area in adequate quantity and at earliest moment.¹

Lovett

1. This telegram was repeated to Cairo far Ambassador Griffis.