501.BB Palestine/12–448: Telegram
The Consul at Jerusalem (Burdett) to the Acting Secretary of State
1517. No distribution. Colonel Carlson, senior United Nations observer Jerusalem, apparently acting on orders from General Riley in Haifa now making efforts exclude Truce Commission from participation in future Arab-Jewish meetings. Alleges both parties questioned presence Truce Commission and desired reduce number persons attending. On contrary Consul[ate] General believes both welcomed presence Truce Commission and Truce Commission made considerable contribution towards success meetings. Consul[ate] General is strongly resisting efforts exclude Truce Commission.
As talks progress and scope broadens political considerations will enter to increasing degree and Truce Commission better qualified than observers handle such questions. United Nations should be considered as third interested party in discussions and Truce Commission could influence talks in direction of proposed United Nations decision re city. United States member could likewise be effective instrument for advancing United States policy for Jerusalem. Additional consideration is necessity holding talks through United Nations and under guise implementing truce. Gradual exclusion United Nations representatives while in accord with Jewish desire for direct negotiations could arouse strong criticism of Transjordan from other Arab states (rioters in Damascus attacked cease-fire agreement) forcing King Abdullah suspend talks. Brigadier Lash, CO Arab Legion division in Palestine, yesterday stated to Consul[ate] General political considerations rather than military would determine success talks and emphasized importance continuing meetings under direction United Nations an as [apparent omission] implementation truce.
Department’s comments would be appreciated.1
- The Department replied, on December 9, noting its agreement that “as long as both sides Jerusalem willing continue talks under auspices UN, Truce Commission should have primary responsibility conduct talks. However, Dept believes that should both parties state their desire continue talks directly between themselves without presence UN reps latter should not insist participation meetings, inasmuch as important UN objective of bringing parties together would have been accomplished.” (Telegram 1051 to Jerusalem, 501.BB Pialestine/12–448)↩