Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V, Part 2

501.BB Palestine/12–648: Telegram

Mr. Wells Stabler to the Acting Secretary of State

secret

Amman, December 6, 1948—4 p. m.

143. Acting Mediator Bunche accompanied by Chief of Staff arrived Amman morning December 5 and proceeded immediately to Shuneh for conferences with King and Prime Minister.

During talks with Bunche that evening he made following comments:

1. Prime Minister had handed him letter accepting on behalf Transjordan SC resolution of November 16.

2. After giving Prime Minister full and frank review of present situation, latter had indicated Transjordan readiness to cooperate with United Nations and Conciliation Commission in arriving at settlement.

3. Believed other Arab state would also cooperate with Conciliation Commission notwithstanding their attitude as expressed at GA.

4. King seemed encouraged that political committee’s rejection of part of British resolution re disposition Arab Palestine does not necessarily preclude such development as result Conciliation Commission recommendation.

5. Believed that annexation of Arab Palestine to Transjordan at present time would be “actual help” in reaching final settlement. Arab Palestine is now vacuum which must be filled and Transjordan in best position to do it.

6. Basically Palestine settlement rests with Egypt, Transjordan and Israel. If Egypt and Transjordan could get together on matter they could overcome any opposition other Arab states. Emir Abdel Majid Haidar, Transjordan observer at UNGA, held talks with Egyptians at Paris but without result.

While Bunche expected King make some mention of his intentions after result vote in political commission (paragraph 4 above), latter made no mention of scheme outlined in mytel 141, December 4.¹ However Bunche apparently hinted to His Majesty that annexation Arab Palestine Transjordan would probably be accepted as fait accompli in view Transjordan’s present position in Arab Palestine.

Bunche departed for Tel Aviv morning December 6.²

Sent Jerusalem by pouch. Repeated Gadel 29 and Jidda, Damascus, Beirut, Baghdad and Cairo.

Stabler

1. Not printed; it advised that King Abdullah, on December 4, had informed Mr. Stabler that when the Jericho resolutions were formally presented to him, “he would announce his acceptance request contained in resolutions and proclaim annexation Arab Palestine to Transjordan.” The King indicated further that “he would also announce his readiness to negotiate settlement of Palestine question with anyone, even Jews.” (867N.01/12–448)
2. Amman, on December 9, reported information from British Minister Kirk-bride that after a meeting with his Cabinet, King Abdullah had approved a statement to the “effect that Transjordan Government looks with favor on unification Arab Palestine and Transjordan … and promised that as soon as necessary measures regarding international and constitutional changes had been taken resolutions would be executed.” The Minister predicted that after Parliamentary approval of the statement, no further action would be taken (telegram 146, 867N.01/12–948).