501.BB Palestine/3–2249: Telegram
The Minister in Lebanon (Pinkerton) to the Secretary of State
urgent
128. Palun 93. From Ethridge and McGhee. Following proposals for PCC action on long-range aspects Palestine refugee problem which were discussed in general terms PCC meeting yesterday (see Palun [Page 858] 92)1 submitted for Department’s consent before definitive discussions PCC. Proposals based on Department thinking as reported by McGhee, on increasing conviction Ethridge and PCC that economic development key to long-range solution refugee problem, on desire assure due basis for outside development assistance in light US objective avoid direct responsibility and probable Arab reaction against unilateral offer, and on necessity prompt action if assistance under rehabilitation program can begin to be effective before termination present UN relief program. It is tentatively assumed relief program will not be renewed in light probable difficulty obtaining additional appropriation US Congress and in order put pressure on Arab states initiate work relief projects.
- (1)
- PCC would report to GA in April that no general settlement Palestine question nor solution problem refugees possible without general economic development in Near East. PCC would recommend to GA that it call on specialized agencies, other appropriate international organizations and member states to render on request of governments and authorities concerned, appropriate technical and financial assistance.
- (2)
- Meanwhile PCC, under authority Paragraph 12, GA resolution 11 December and pursuant instructions Paragraphs 6, 10 and 11, would appoint technical commission composed of representatives member states, specialized agencies and international organizations most likely be able render technical and financial assistance. Commission would survey economic development needs of area and, upon request of governments or authorities concerned, provide appropriate technical assistance including assistance in obtaining necessary financing for particular projects from international and other sources. It is envisaged that technical commission be headed by particularly well-qualified objective US citizen who could command confidence US executive, Congress and public, possibly with a UK deputy. Technical experts might be predominantly US with sprinkling of other nationalities including French to give multilateral flavor. Commission might include as members or observers representatives of International Bank, FAO, WHO and other international agencies and of private organizations in position render assistance. Commission’s approach could emphasize economic development with refugee problem in background and be on area basis even though relations with governments concerned would probably be largely bilateral. Commission could organize country subcommissions on request individual governments and among other things recommend nature organization required to carry out program developed. Report of technical commission, with comment PCC and GA, would be available to all in position render assistance whose efforts could be coordinated by technical commission or successor even after termination PCC.
US acceptance of foregoing should be conditional assurance other members PCC that plan could be implemented along lines approved by US and assurance Arab states that requests for assistance would be forthcoming prior to appointment of commission. In addition to Department’s comments on concept and timing of above proposal Department’s comment requested on whether GA resolution of 11 December re PCC are considered to provide adequate basis for technical commission which could provide authoritative guidance all aspects Near East economic development, whether approval for creation of commission or for its membership need be obtained from GA prior to PCC action, and whether international nature of commission likely to affect adversely possibilities financial assistance from Export Import Bank and private US sources including oil companies. Sponsorship of technical commission by PCC might serve to allay criticism of UN and of US under President’s Point 4 program for favoring one area for economic development over others with comparable needs. Assuming acceptance above proposals by Department and PCC, US would assume responsibility proposing to PCC plan of organization, US candidates and terms of reference for commission and taking initiative its activation. Final Department decision re above proposals can await full discussion following McGhee’s return first week April after visit remaining Arab states and London. Department’s tentative views would, however, be helpful now to Ethridge in informal discussions with PCC and Arab representatives in view close timing if proposals are to be considered in April GA session.
If Department agrees, please repeat Arab capitals, USDel, Now York and London with request for views to be repeated to Beirut for Ethridge. [Ethridge and McGhee.]
- Supra.↩