501.BB Palestine/3–1448
Memorandum by Mr. Samuel K. G. Kopper to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin)
Conversations on the Palestine Question with several of the principal Arab Delegates to the United Nations, including Faris Bey [Page 724] el Khouri (Syria), Camille Chamoun (Lebanon), Charles Malik (Lebanon) and Fawzi Bey (Egypt), during the past days have revealed certain important points which indicate that insofar as the Arab states are concerned they would be willing to suggest possible solutions to the Palestine Question which in the judgment of Mr. Wilkins and myself go further than any previous position taken by the Arab states. It now appears that the Arab states, and as a result the Arab Higher Committee, might be willing to agree to one of the following solutions which incorporated the following features:
- 1.
- A unitary state with
- (a)
- a democratic constitution and government;
- (b)
- explicit guarantees regarding minority rights and privileges;
- (c)
- a bicameral legislature in which the Jewish population would have equal representation in a Senate;
- (d)
- municipal autonomy for various towns or districts;
- (e)
- immigration of Jews up to 100,000 over a two or three year period and a lesser number each year thereafter;
- (f)
- a United Nations commission to observe development of the Palestine situation.
- 2.
- A Federal or cantonized state with
- (a)
- a democratic constitution and government;
- (b)
- explicit guarantees regarding minority rights and privileges;
- (c)
- a bicameral legislature in which the Jewish population would have equal representation in a Senate;
- (d)
- states or cantons similar to the constitutional organization of the United States or Switzerland;
- (e)
- immigration of Jews up to 100,000 over a two or three year period and a lesser number each year thereafter;
- (f)
- a United Nations commission to observe development of the Palestine situation.
- 3.
- Trusteeship with
- (a)
- terms of reference giving more responsibility for self-government than present times;
- (b)
- immigration features similar to those set forth in the preceding two paragraphs.
- Thus it will be noted that the Arab states would now be
willing to go further than they ever have before on the subjects
of
- (a)
- constitutional organization,
- (b)
- immigration, and
- (c)
- guarantees for minorities.
However, trusteeship would be the least favorable solution in Arab minds.
The Arab states feel that the present Partition Plan should be abandoned. A special session of the General Assembly should be called. The Mandatory Power might be asked to stay on for two or three months [Page 725] until a new solution were evolved. A transitory trusteeship might be established in the event that the Mandatory Power will not remain after May 15.
There is a growing amount of evidence from our missions in the field that moderate elements in the Arab states such as King Ibn Saud, Azzam Pasha, Secretary-General of the Arab League, Nokrashi Pasha, Prime Minister of Egypt and others are anxious to obtain a moderate solution of the Palestine Question and, to shelve permanently the Mufti and the extremist Arab elements in Palestine. It was likewise evidenced that the Arab League has King Abdullah of Transjordan under control.
They believe that the refugee problem should be handled by the UN and that the inherent responsibility should be assumed by other members of the UN to assist in handling the displaced persons problem.