501.BB Palestine/11–1449
The Secretary of State to the Egyptian Ambassador (Rahim)
The Secretary of State presents his compliments to His Excellency the Ambassador of Egypt and has the honor to refer to the Joint Note of November 14, 1949, which was presented to Acting Secretary Webb by the Diplomatic Representatives of the Governments of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria and by the Head of the Delegation of Yemen to the General Assembly of the United Nations, submitting certain observations regarding the question of Palestine.
The United States Government appreciates this expression of views and considers them as indicative of the desire of the Governments of the Arab States to reach an early and peaceful settlement of the Palestine problem. The views expressed in the Joint Note have been given close consideration by this Government.
The United States Government considers that the United Nations, which has been seized with the Palestine problem since the matter was first referred to that body in 1947, is the proper medium through which a solution of the question should be sought. The General Assembly of the United Nations created the Palestine Conciliation Commission for the purpose of assisting the parties to seek agreement by negotiations conducted either with the Commission or directly. It is the hope of this Government that the parties concerned will continue to collaborate with the United Nations in its important task of bringing about a peaceful settlement of all outstanding issues.
It is for this reason that the United States Government considers that questions relating to the Protocol of May 12, 1949, signed under the auspices of the Palestine Conciliation Commission by Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria on the one hand and by Israel on the [Page 1536] other, should more appropriately be discussed with the Conciliation Commission.
One of the principal objectives of the United States with respect to the Palestine problem is the restoration of peace and stability in the Near Eastern area. The United States Government is convinced that it is in the best interest of the parties themselves that they should take the initiative in advancing from the armistice stage to that of permanent peace and that they should employ all means at their disposal, including direct negotiations, to achieve this end.
The United States Government stands ready to assist the Arab States and Israel, both as a member of the Palestine Conciliation Commission and in such other ways as may seem desirable, in achieving a final settlement of the Palestine question.1
- Separate notes were sent to the diplomatic representatives of Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria on December 13. The same day the Department directed New York to convey orally to the Head of the Delegation of Yemen to the United Nations the substance of the notes. The Department explained that it was not desired to communicate in writing with the Head of the Yemeni Delegation since the United States did not maintain diplomatic relations with the present Government of Yemen, (instruction 383 to New York, 501.BB Palestine/11–1449) Mr. Ross carried out the instruction on December 20 (memorandum of conversation by Mr. Stabler, December 20, 501.BB Palestine/12–2649).↩