867N.01/1–1849
The British Embassy to the Department of State
Palestine
Mr. Bevin has asked the British Ambassador to inform Mr. Lovett that, as the United States Government knows, the British Government attaches the highest importance to Anglo-American agreement over Palestine. The British Government have worked unremittingly to this end.
2. The British Government particularly appreciates Mr. Lovett’s assurance that the United States Government stands firmly by its general views on the Middle East, as already explained to the British Government. Since the two Governments are in solid agreement on their long-range objectives affecting the Middle East, would it not be possible for a statement now to be made after this lapse of time in the sense that the United States Government and the British Government have a common policy relating to this area? Mr. Bevin has no desire to publish details now, but there is a view in the United Kingdom that there is no understanding between the two Governments on the Middle East and Mr. Bevin is most anxious to correct this misconception.
3. Mr. Bevin asks the British Ambassador to assure Mr. Lovett and the United States Government that the British Government has an equally earnest desire for peace and an accepted settlement of the Palestine problem, and that the British Government has been striving to that end. The British Government has now again urged the Arab Governments concerned both to settle their differences between themselves and to undertake negotiations, both at Rhodes and on a wider basis through the Conciliation Commission. It is hoped that the Conciliation Commission will soon be able to set to work. The British Government has studied, so far as reports allow, the talks at Rhodes, and is glad to note that progress is being made. The British Government believes that this is due to United States pressure on both sides and to British advice to the Arab Governments, coupled with the evidence of firmness combined with restraint which the British Government has recently shown. The British Government is however, up against a very great difficulty when Security Council decisions are [Page 676] not acted upon, and this seems to involve both Governments in an important point of principle. At the same time, the British Government is anxious that all parties in the Middle East shall look to the West and not to Russia, but it believes that the danger in the Arab States from Russia will grow very rapidly as they feel that they are deserted by the West.
4. Mr. Bevin is encouraged by the fact that the fighting appears to have stopped. The British Government is considering what other steps it could take to facilitate agreement and to encourage negotiations and to further the objectives which both Governments have. One thing which troubles the British Government is that the Transjordan Government, whom it wants to take a good deal of responsibility in the matter, and whose application to the United Nations has been vetoed by the Soviet Union, is not recognised by the United States Government. If the United States Government could immediately recognise Transjordan, even de facto, this would make it possible for the British Government to give simultaneous de facto recognition to Israel. De facto recognition of Transjordan is suggested as the appropriate step in view of possible changes of boundary.
5. Mr. Bevin feels that Mr. Lovett would appreciate that on many occasions the British Government have made concessions about Palestine in an attempt to be helpful and to avoid causing the State Department embarrassment. As will be seen from the above, the British Government wants to make yet another attempt to concert action and to make it clear that in the Middle East, as well as elsewhere in the world, the British and the Americans are working together. In the general setting of world affairs Mr. Bevin believes this to be all-important.
6. In short, Mr. Bevin suggests—
- (a)
- That some agreed statement should be released, to the effect that there is understanding between the two Governments regarding the Middle East.
- (b)
- That Transjordan should be recognised by the United States Government, perhaps de facto, and
- (c)
- That the British Government should simultaneously recognise de facto the Government of Israel.
Mr. Bevin hopes that these steps would be helpful in an attempt to clear up this disturbed area.
- This communication was handed to Mr. Lovett by Ambassador Franks on January 18.↩