Office of the Historian

501.BB Palestine/3–648: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Jerusalem

secret   us urgent
niact
Washington, March 6, 1948—6 p. m.

164. Security Council adopted resolution1 on March 5 reading as follows:

“The Security Council

Having received the resolution of the General Assembly of 29 November 1947, on Palestine, and having received from the United Nations Palestine Commission its first monthly report and its first special report on the problem of security in Palestine:

Resolves:

To call on the permanent members of the Council to consult and

To inform the Security Council regarding the situation with respect to Palestine and to make as the result of such consultations recommendations to it regarding the guidance and instructions which the Council might usefully give to the Palestine Commission with a view of implementing the resolution of the General Assembly. The Security Council requests the permanent members to report to it on the results of their consultations within ten days.

Appeals to all governments and peoples, particularly in and around Palestine, to take all possible action to prevent or reduce such disorders as are now occurring in Palestine.”

Prior to adoption this resolution members USDel discussed question AHC participation in current UN discussions on Palestine with Arab reps at UN. Nakkleh, AHC rep New York, indicated AHC, on his recommendation, had decided not to take part in such discussions. Members USDel pointed out that a) failure to cooperate in UN efforts was creating unfavorable impression in UN circles and on world opinion; b) it was essential, for example, that SC have official AHC views as well as those of JA and mandatory power on which to base such conclusions as SC might reach; and c) AHC participation affords means through which AHC views come to world attention. Reps of important Arab states are believed to concur in latter views and have indicated they will endeavor to persuade AHC officials in Jersusalem to reconsider its decision not to participate in UN discussions. Nakkleh indicated he would reconsider question and might consult his superiors in Jerusalem.

US as one of permanent members SC is required under March 5 to consult on situation with respect Palestine and as longstanding friend of Arab world would particularly regret if reps of Arabs of Palestine refused to present their views in connection with these consultations.

Dept attaches great importance this matter and requests you discuss with AHC participation in SC discussions and in such consultations [Page 687] as may be necessary under March. 5 resolution. You might point out that such consultation would involve no commitments on part of AHC.2

Sent to Jerusalem for action; Repeated to Baghdad, Beirut, Damascus, Jidda and Cairo for information and for immediate informal discussion with ForOff.

Marshall
  1. Numbered 42 (1948).↩
  2. Jerusalem, on March 8 sent the text of a communication from the Arab Higher Committee refusing to participate in discussions with the permanent members of the Security Council. Consul General Macatee concluded, after subsequent discussion with Hussein Khalidi, Secretary of the Committee, that the answer would probably have been in the affirmative if the reference to implementing the resolution of the General Assembly had not appeared in the Security Council resolution. (Telegram 271, 867N.01/3–848)

    Cairo, on March 16, reported information from Azzam Pasha that the Arab Higher Committee had authorized its New York representatives to give information to the Security Council on an informal basis but had forbidden him to discuss partition in any form. (Telegram 263, 501.BB Palestine/3–1648)

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