501.BB Palestine(E)/11–249: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
confidential
London, November 2, 1949—5 p. m.
4389. Wright last evening emphasized following points in informing Embassy officers that telegram embodying preliminary Foreign Office reactions to Department’s draft resolution on Palestine (Deptel 3834 October 251) had been sent British Embassy Washington for discussion Department:
- 1.
- Foreign Office doubts efficacy substituting one man agent general for present PCC. Foreign Office realizes that Department’s thinking at least in part conditioned by low esteem in which PCC held by Arabs and Israelis are result past efforts. However, Foreign Office feels this element is inherent hi Palestine problem and that same loss of esteem would in time attach one man agent general now attaches PCC.
- 2.
- In addition to foregoing point, Foreign Office feels it would be undesirable raise question establishing new political machinery at this session GA. Wright recalled that when British recently suggested raising question incorporate Arab Palestine into Jordan at this session GA, Department felt it would be undesirable since it would probably raise whole question of political settlement. Wright recalled Foreign Office agreed with us at that time. It now foresees same difficulty if this new question is raised.
- 3.
- Foreign Office feels it is important that NE states themselves would take responsibility for development, which should be done through their own local development boards rather than through UN body.
- 4.
- In accordance British policy keeping Soviets out of NE, Foreign Office apprehensive creation UN body such as NEDI might open door for Soviet infiltration.
Douglas