501.BB Palestine/11–1748: Telegram
The United States Delegation to the Acting Secretary of State
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Delga 803. Eyes alone Lovett from Rusk. In separate telegrams are found text British resolution on Palestine and amendments which we would have to propose to conform to delegation opinion here. At this moment it appears improbable that US and UK can harmonize their positions sufficiently to present joint draft resolution or to permit us to support theirs without amendment. British feel compelled to speak soon and to submit resolution, and apparently consider that formal nature their public and unequivocal support Bernadotte plan and their commitments to Arab states leave them no alternative but to proceed that basis.
Text of possible US amendments suggested by us appear to be minimum we would have to make in light of attitude senior members delegation. However, you should bear in mind that our discussions within delegation may not have reflected real attitude of President on precise relationship between November 29 resolution and Bernadotte plan. If it is necessary to seek reaffirmation of November 29 resolution, or if we can modify our proposed language to bring it closer to British draft, delegation should receive specific instructions on those points. My estimate is that we and British recognize that in practice future events will be about the same under their draft or ours Difficulty is what to get the assembly to say.
[Page 1608]We have in Paris problem not only of reconciling President’s and Secretary’s statements reference November 29 and Bernadotte Plan, but also that of reconciling widely divergent views within delegation. If possible, instructions which would contain precise wording on any amendment we should seek in British draft or extent to which we could agree British draft would be most helpful.
All members of delegation have made serious and bonafide effort to reach common policy based on understanding President’s wishes. Believe, however, results our discussions here need to be carefully checked to confirm that they in fact represent US policy.
British will probably speak in Committee One Thursday morning, but will not introduce resolution until later. We now plan not to speak until after British resolution is circulated, but would speak not later than Friday. Proposed text US opening speech will be forwarded Thursday.
Disadvantages of British proceeding to introduce resolution is that their position becomes more rigid and we lose in part, at least, advantages of joint action. Advantage is that British can make their case for Arab sympathy while we, by amendment, would make move more favorable to Israel and would avoid charge that we are tail to British kite.
We have not given up hope of possible joint resolution with British but much depends upon extent to which Department thinks British draft acceptable or unacceptable and whether delegation view accurately reflects what is wanted by President. [Rusk.]