501.BB Palestine/11–1548: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State
niact
Delga 762. There follows statement of “principles applicable to the US position on the Palestine question before the General Assembly” which USDel this morning agreed, in accordance with policy approved by President should serve as guidance in conduct and development US position on Palestine. Revised draft resolution being prepared and will follow soonest.
Verbatim Text
“1. General.
The security and other national interests of the US require a peaceful solution of the Palestine problem which holds the greatest possibility of a friendly relation between Israel and the Arab countries of the N.E. and between those countries and the US.
2. Independence of the state of Israel.
The US has recognized and supports Israel as an independent state. Although the GA resolution of November 29, 1947 contained substantial limitations upon Israel in such arrangements as economic union, the US considers that Israel should now be dealt with as a full-fledged member of the community of nations. It follows that Israel should be entitled to the normal attributes of independent states; it should now, for example, have full control over immigration into its territory; its economic arrangements with neighboring areas should be on the basis of treaty or other agreement.
The GA should not adopt a new resolution delimiting boundaries in Palestine. It should, however, call upon the Arab states and Israel to enter negotiations for the establishment of a territorial settlement in Palestine. To assist in such negotiations the Assembly should appoint a conciliation commission which should on behalf of the UN exert every influence to bring about a final settlement of all questions outstanding between the parties.
3. Boundaries.
It may be admitted that the provisions of the GA resolution of November 29, 1947, regarding the economic union of the whole of Palestine are not at present feasible and that in view of the unfeasibility of an economic union for all of Palestine the area reserved for an Arab state might more appropriately be joined to one or more of the neighboring Arab states. It may further be admitted that in view of those and other circumstances other territorial adjustments in the GA resolution of November 29, 1947 may well be appropriate.
Therefore the GA should recommend that negotiations be conducted either directly or through the conciliation commission with a [Page 1596] view to a territorial settlement on the following general basis, without excluding any settlement mutually acceptable to the parties:
- 1.
- Acceptance by parties of elements common to the GA resolution of November 29 and the conclusions contained in section VIII, paragraph 4 of the report of the UN Mediator.
- 2.
- With respect to other matters, consultation by the conciliation commission with the parties to determine to which the recommendations of the GA resolution of November 29, 1947 afford a basis for an agreed settlement and as to matters not so settled the extent to which the conclusions contained in section VIII, paragraph 4 of the UN mediator’s report can constitute such a basis.
4. Disposition of Arab Palestine.
Although the GA resolution of November 29, 1947 envisaged an Arab state of Palestine in economic union with Israel, it is now evident that Arab Palestine standing alone could not constitute a viable independent state.
It is desirable, therefore, that Arab Palestine be transferred to one or more of the neighboring Arab states through the process of negotiation conducted by a UN conciliation commission, taking into account the wishes of the inhabitants of Arab Palestine.
5. Jerusalem.
The territory of Jerusalem, as defined in the GA resolution of November 29, 1947, should be [receive?] special and separate treatment from the rest of Palestine and should be placed under effective UN control with maximum feasible local autonomy for Arab and Jewish communities. Although Jerusalem should not be annexed outright in whole or in part either to Israel or to any Arab state, the eventual solution of the problem of governing Jerusalem should take fully into account the interest and the resources of both Israel and such Arab authority as is established in the area surrounding Jerusalem. The GA should not attempt in its present session to establish a final government for Jerusalem but should ask a UN conciliation commission to arrange with local authorities for its interim administration and to present to the fourth regular session of the GA detailed proposals for a permanent international regime.
6. Holy places.
The holy places and religious buildings and sites in Palestine should be protected and free access to them assured in accordance with existing rights and historical practice. Arrangements to this end should be under effective UN supervision. The UN conciliation commission in presenting to the fourth regular session of the GA its detailed proposals regarding the territory of Jerusalem should include recommendations concerning the holy places in that territory. With regard to the holy places in the rest of Palestine, the commission should consult with the political authorities of the areas concerned with a view to securing appropriate formal guarantees as to the protection of the holy places and access to them. These undertakings should be presented to the GA for approval.
[Page 1597]7. Freedom of Movement.
A UN conciliation commission should bear in mind the negotiations for a final settlement for Palestine that the peace, stability and economic development and well-being of the entire area require broad agreement with respect to the movement of persons and trade throughout the region. Particular attention should be given to the need for providing access to ports, airfields and railways which are essential to the economic life of the area.
8. UN conciliation commission.
The GA at its current session should give maximum encouragement to negotiation efforts between the parties, for the evolution of a Palestine political settlement. The GA should constitute at its present session a UN conciliation commission to bring about a final settlement of the Palestine question. The US should be a member of this commission. Although it would be desirable to include the UK, the US should not insist upon such inclusion if both the UK and Israel have fundamental objections thereto. No member of the eastern European bloc should be included in the commission. A logical solution would be to ask the three governments now constituting the truce commission (US, France and Belgium) to accept responsibility of constituting the UN conciliation commission.
9. Settlement by peaceful means.
The US and the Assembly should insist by all practicable means that the war in Palestine is over and that the parties should now, with the cooperation of the UN, proceed to work out a final settlement by peaceful means. Specifically, no party is entitled or should be permitted to exploit military capability as an instrument of pressure during the course of negotiations. The GA should leave to the SO the task of bringing about an armistice at as early a date as possible”.
Repeated London as 1269.