501.BB Palestine/3–448: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
242. For Lovett from Austin. I concur with contents of amended statement on UN responsibility for Palestine on May 15, 1948, contained in text authenticated by Rusk and McClintock.1 Any confusion on the point should be clarified to avoid informal or accidental commitments by member governments on matter of that importance.
Timing of such statement is of great importance. If it should be made immediately after vote on Belgian amendment and US resolution, it might be misinterpreted as a negative attitude on our part merely presented to offer still further obstacles to UN action on Palestine. Whatever the voting in Security Council on Belgian amendment and US resolution, it now seems reasonably certain that some consultation by a committee or group of council with mandatory power, Palestine Commission, and Jews and Arabs of Palestine will take place concerning peaceful implementation of partition plan. US should insist by resolution that these consultations be held and, in absence of promising results, be wound up as rapidly as possible.
Unless there is a major statement by UK, Secretary-General Lie, or others directed to UN responsibility on May 15 prior to a report on the attempted conciliation, it appears US should make the proposed statement [Page 677] at time of Security Council consideration of results of conciliation effort. In that event, statement should lead directly into positive proposals for further handling of Palestine matter by UN. Our legal analysis of question of responsibility on May 15 would strongly support necessity, for prompt action along new lines and would make it clear to our own people why such proposals are essential.
Consequently, I recommend Department consider addition of following to present text of proposed statement:
[Here follow additions recommended by Ambassador Austin.2]