Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

501.BB Palestine/1–1749: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Consulate General in Jerusalem ¹

secret

Washington, January 18, 1949—6 p. m.

30. Ur 47 Jan 17² and previous. Dept appreciates your commendable initiative and your recommendations re proposed Jerusalem settlement. However since GA resolution Dec 11 placed upon Conciliation Commission responsibility for recommendations concerning final Jerusalem regime and since Commission soon to arrive Palestine, Dept desires ConGen not assume active role in Israel–TJ negotiations (last para reftel³). You should make absolutely clear to both sides US not acting as mediator in any way or extending good offices.

Dept’s position on Jerusalem settlement in light developments you have reported now under urgent consideration. You will be informed.

Lovett

1. This telegram was repeated to London and Amman and to Geneva for the American Delegation to the Palestine Conciliation Commission.
2. Not printed; it advised of discussions between Transjordanian and Israeli officials on proposals to settle the question of the administration of Jerusalem and of conversations by Consul Burdett and the French Consul General with those officials on the matter (867N.01/1–1749).
3. In this paragraph, Consul Burdett proposed “drawing up outline reconciling as far as possible Jewish-Arab positions and presenting it to Abdullah Tel and Dayan for further discussion.”