501.BB Palestine/4–2049: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
priority
509. Bunche today told us he would remain as Acting Mediator only until the Syrian negotiations were completed. Is fairly optimistic that when negotiations reopened after the religious holidays on April 21 they would make good progress.
In discussing his draft proposed SC Resolution (Beirut’s No. 132, Palun 95, March 24) and Department’s suggested changes (Deptel 193 to New York,1 Unpal 70, March 29), Bunche said that there was no need for PCC to share in cease-fire observation as suggested Department’s paragraph 6,2 since each armistice agreement is self-contained arrangement providing for an armistice commission chaired by chief of staff of the truce supervision organization or senior officer of organization designated by him. Commissions are to handle questions relating to terms of armistice and minor disagreements and difficulties. Outbreak of fighting must be referred to SC in any event. Bunche [Page 931] pointed out that such an arrangement is a continuation of existing situation under which chief of staff handles locally minor incidents, refers basic disagreements to Mediator, while actual fighting must be referred to SC.
In connection with the armistice commissions, Bunche said it was the intention after the Syrian negotiations were completed to combine the commissions, establishing one for Northern and one for Southern areas. The UN and the Israeli personnel would remain the same, the Arabs changing as the agenda of the commissions might require.
Bunche believes that Riley or his successor, together with a force of about thirty officers and thirty enlisted men, should continue to be empowered to supervise the truce organization in maintaining the cease-fire.
Re Department’s suggestion for paragraph 5,3 Bunche does not believe it necessary specifically terminate office of Mediator in SC Resolution, pointing out that office established by GA and December 11 Resolution provided for automatic termination when functions transferred to PCC.
Bunche agrees that the Truce Commission might be dissolved, as suggested in Department’s addition to paragraph 3.4
Resolution along foregoing lines will have to be sponsored by some SC member since Acting Mediator has no such authority.
Bunche is prepared, if asked, to make an oral statement to SC, supplementing his written report following conclusion of Syrian negotiations. He furnished USUN a rough draft of his proposed written report which is summarized in Usun 510, April 21.5 Text being forwarded by pouch.
Bunche has refused suggestion from Lie and other sources that he should lobby for the early admission of Israel to UN. Feels this inappropriate for Acting Mediator, and that before Israel admitted should “come clean” on the following points: (1) report on Bernadotte’s assassination; (2) attitude toward refugees; (3) attitude toward internationalization of Jerusalem; (4) boundary demands. He reacted favorably to informal suggestion above points might best be covered at opening Lausanne Conference.
In respect to the report on Bernadotte’s assassination, Bunche stated he had been assured by Israelis that it would be ready before GA opening, although it would be largely a negative report. Eban has promised him to expedite submission.
[Page 932]Bunche fully shares Ethridge’s observations and recommendations on refugees, which he discussed fully in Beirut.
He was bearish on prospects for effective internationalization of Jerusalem. Said that only if USG willing put strong pressure on Israelis will Jerusalem be internationalized. Believes Jerusalem question has been pretty well settled by the probable Transjordan-Israeli deal under which Abdullah will get Arab Palestine and part of Jerusalem. He anticipates, however, that such arrangement may blow up when Abdullah realized that small Arab section of Jerusalem likely to be squeezed economically by Israelis so that in less than a year it will not be viable. Israelis fully cognizant weakness of Arab Jerusalem. Although not hostile to the concept of two trusteeships for Jerusalem, Bunche is definitely skeptical.
In respect to boundaries, Bunche observed that Israelis would never commit themselves on what their eventual goals were. It was clear that they did not intend to give up territory in Negev, or elsewhere, which had been assigned them in armistice agreements. Until some clarification of this point, however, the Arabs have legitimate grounds for hesitation and doubt about final arrangements.
Bunche expressed his great appreciation for Department’s back stopping and effective intervention during numerous critical periods in his negotiations.
He emphasized repeatedly that he is most anxious to get away for a long rest as soon as possible since he is in very poor health.