501.BB Palestine/3–2249: Telegram
The Minister in Lebanon (Pinkerton) to the Secretary of State
127. Palun 92. [From Ethridge.] Following conclusion first Commission meeting with Arab States,1 Commissioners among themselves on March 21 again exchanged preliminary views regarding refugee problem.
Ethridge suggested that Commission might consider adoption of attitude based on following reasoning:
- 1.
- GA resolution December 11 in Paragraph 11 made provision for repatriation and compensation. Commission fully supported these instructions and desired detailed views governments and authorities concerned regarding number wishing return and method determining and paying compensation.
- 2.
- GA resolution December 11 in Paragraph 11 instructed Commission to facilitate repatriation, resettlement and economic and social rehabilitation of refugees, compensation payments and to maintain close relations with Griffis and with other US agencies. Commission believed for practical reasons greatest emphasis should be given in formal and informal discussions with representatives Arab States to development of program which would facilitate resettlement and economic and social rehabilitation in Arab Palestine and in Arab States of refugees who cannot be repatriated. Commission should stress to representatives Arab States it would be wiser in long run to get away from the narrow objective of rigid insistence on repatriation and concentrate on broader objective of resettlement and economic and social rehabilitation.
- 3.
- GA resolution December 11 in Paragraphs 6, 10, 11 and 12 appeared to give Commission basis for approaching problem broadly.
- 4.
- Following practical steps might be taken by Commission:
- (1)
- It should be stressed to Arab States that it is doubtful Israel would be able absorb more than small number of refugees.
- (2)
- Arab States should prepare themselves to continue aid thus far extended and instead of direct relief should attempt resettle refugees and initiate projects for absorbing them.
- (3)
- Peace talks, including particularly territorial settlement in Palestine should commence soonest following Beirut meeting and current armistice talks.
- (4)
- Commission report to April session GA that no general settlement of Palestine question nor successful conclusion to specific problem of refugees seems possible unless there is general economic development in NE and should recommend that GA call upon specialized agencies, internal organizations and member states to render technical and financial assistance upon request governments and authorities concerned in NE (see following telegram).
- (5)
- Commission should immediately establish committee of experts to survey economic needs of area and on request of governments and authorities concerned to render technical assistance including assistance in obtaining financial aid from international and other courses (see following telegram).
Ethridge emphasized foregoing was tentative and for Commission’s consideration and would submit working paper in several days. Boisanger fully supported. Yalcin agreed. Yalcin also suggested Commission should determine repatriation figure for Israel but withdrew suggestion following explanation quotas for Arab States and Israel might more logically be established in light more detailed information of various aspects of refugee problem described in Paragraph 11 GA resolution December 11. Yalcin added that during separate talks with Syrian and Transjordan representatives he had gathered impression Syria and Transjordan might vie with each other in taking refugees if greater number increased prospect financial and economic assistance, presumably from US.
Sent Department, repeated Jerusalem 26, Damascus 13, Baghdad 11, Cairo 14, Jidda and Amman unnumbered. [Ethridge.]
- As set forth in telegram 126 (identified also as Palun 91), March 22, 11 a. m., from Beirut, not printed; it stated that Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Transjordan were represented (501.BB Palestine/3–2249).↩