501.BB Palestine/4–549: Telegram

The Consul at Jerusalem (Burdett) to the Secretary of State

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266. Article 8 of Israel Transjordan agreement provides for special committee which “shall have exclusive competence over such matters as may be referred to it”. Questions listed for committee attention pertain mainly to Jerusalem and have direct bearing on future city.

In defending agreement before Knesset Ben-Gurion stated, according to Palestine Post, one of major problems in negotiations overcome when questions connected with Jerusalem left to special committee “to be settled without UN intercession”. Post quotes Dr. Bunche as saying special committee will find means making life for people in Jerusalem easier and helping Jerusalem return to normal. Diplomatic correspondent of Post asserts Israel and Transjordan will negotiate directly through special committee without intervention of any third party on all questions outstanding “including those which would normally be [Page 896] subject of Peace Conference and which, would have been regarded as within scope of PCC”. He believes establishment of special committee has seriously weakened position PCC.

Israel has long shown desire settle problem Jerusalem directly with Transjordan without “interference of third party” and Consul[ate] General has consistently maintained UN must be considered interested party in any agreement re Jerusalem. Creation this committee with apparent approval acting mediator furnishes Israel and Transjordan convenient means settling question concerning Jerusalem by mutual agreement and without taking into account UN interest in city. Difficult to perceive how functions assigned committee will not make more difficult carrying out provisions GA Resolution December 11 re internationalization.

Burdett