867N.01/11–1449
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Acting Secretary of State
| Participants: | U—Mr. Webb |
| NEA—Mr. McGhee | |
| The Egyptian Ambassador | |
| The Saudi Arabian Ambassador | |
| The Minister of Jordan | |
| The Minister of Lebanon | |
| The Minister of Syria | |
| The Chargé d’Affaires of Iraq | |
| The Delegate of Yemen to the United Nations | |
| The Secretary of the Yemenite Delegation to the United Nations | |
| ANE—Mr. Stabler |
Problem: On the basis of the decision taken by the recent Arab League Council Meeting the diplomatic representatives of the Arab states were instructed to present a joint memorandum1 to the United States Government requesting our intervention with Israel to implement the Protocol of May 12, 1949.
Action Required: To consider the position the Department should adopt on the joint memorandum.
Action Assigned to: ANE
Discussion: The Egyptian Ambassador, acting as spokesman for the Arab representatives, expressed appreciation at being received by the Acting Secretary. He said that at the recent Arab League Council [Page 1487] Meeting the member states had considered the Palestine situation and had instructed their diplomatic representatives in Washington to present a joint memorandum to the United States Government bearing on certain aspects of the Palestine question. The Ambassador stated that the Arabs are greatly concerned, as is the United States, about the situation in Palestine. The Arab states have cooperated both with the United States and United Nations and have accepted their advice on a number of matters. They have also acquiesced in certain other matters on which the United States and United Nations have insisted. In keeping with this policy of cooperation the Arab states represented at Lausanne had agreed to sign the Protocol of May 12, 1949.
The Arab states were much concerned by the fact that Israel had shown no signs of cooperation or good will and had in fact refused further collaboration with the Palestine Conciliation Commission. He also referred to the fact that Israel had incorporated Jaffa in Tel Aviv in violation of the United Nations. Israel had also ref used to implement the May 12 Protocol. The Ambassador produced a map attached to the May 12 Protocol and pointed out that implementation of the Protocol by Israel would have solved not only the territorial but the refugee aspects of the Palestine problem. He indicated the numbers of refugees which the Arab states believed could be settled in the areas which would have been allocated to the Arabs through implementation of the Protocol. The Ambassador continued that the Arab states were entirely prepared to implement the May 12 Protocol and hoped the United States would use its influence with Israel to persuade the latter to act in a spirit of good faith and cooperation in proceeding with the implementation of the Protocol.
I thanked the Ambassador for the expression of views of the Arab Governments and for the memorandum which I said would be given careful consideration in the Department. I pointed out that it was the view of this Government that the United Nations and particularly the Palestine Conciliation Commission were the proper medium through which negotiations should be conducted. I also indicated that since this was a problem directly affecting the Arabs and Israelis, it was desirable that they should take the initiative in advancing towards a settlement. I also suggested that direct talks might also be employed. I emphasized that the United States would not advance any specific solution to either party, as the parties themselves must reach a mutually satisfactory agreement. Mr. McGhee said that this was quite true and stated that it emphasized that the United States was not in a position to urge specific proposals on either party. It was up to the parties themselves to take steps to reach an agreed settlement of the problem. I said that, of course, the United States stood entirely ready to assist the parties wherever possible in their desire to achieve peace. [Page 1488] The main objective of the United States, and I felt sure also that of the Arab states, was the restoration of peace.
The Egyptian Ambassador said that with reference to the question of direct talks, it was extremely difficult for the Arab states to contemplate such talks in view of the fact that Israel disregarded United Nations’ decisions, had refused to work further with the Palestine Conciliation Commission and has constantly presented the world with faits accomplis.
The Iraqi Chargé d’Affaires then read a memorandum on instructions from his Government stating that while Iraq is in complete agreement with the other members of the Arab League, it is in a special position of not having participated in the talks of the Palestine Conciliation Commission at Lausanne. The Government of Iraq would, therefore, present in the near future a similar memorandum2 except for amendments necessary by reason of its special position.
I again expressed appreciation for the views which had been presented and the meeting ended.