501.BB Palestine/10–2049
Memorandum by the Acting Secretary of State to the President
The Palestine Conciliation Commission concluded the second phase of its work at Lausanne, Switzerland on September 16, 1949, and planned to reconvene in New York on October 19, 1949. Although it is not expected that the Commission will commence its formal sessions before November 10, 1949, on which date the report of the Economic Survey Mission is expected to be available, it is important that a United States Representative be in New York to participate in preliminary discussions. Mr. Paul A. Porter, who had been the United States Representative on the Palestine Conciliation Commission, submitted his resignation, effective September 15, 1949. The Department had hoped that Mr. Porter would be able to represent the United States again when the Commission reconvened but he has advised the Department that pending legal business makes it difficult for him to serve at this time.
I am submitting, therefore, for your approval, a request that Mr. Ely E. Palmer, a Career Minister in the Foreign Service, be given a recess appointment as United States Representative on the United Nations Palestine Conciliation Commission.
This appointment is made in accordance with the provisions of Section 2 (d) of Public Law 341, 81st Congress. By virtue of Mr. Palmer’s status in the Foreign Service as Career Minister, he will receive no additional compensation under this appointment.
There is attached herewith a recess commission for your signature if this recommendation meets with your approval.1
- Marginal notation by an unidentified Department officer: “Commission returned signed by President 11/3/49.” According to the Department’s announcement, printed in Department of State Bulletin, November 21, 1949, p. 785, Mr. Palmer’s appointment was made by the President on November 4.↩