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

867N.48/5–1049

The Department of State to the British Embassy

secret

Aide-Mémoire

The Department of State wishes to express appreciation to the Government of the United Kingdom for its views¹ concerning a plan of operations which might be adopted with respect to settlement of the Palestine refugee problem. The Department of State is pleased to note the United Kingdom’s general agreement with the Proposed Plan of Action² submitted by Mr. McGhee during his recent visit to London.

With reference to the specific comments of the United Kingdom concerning establishment of a survey group, the Department of State is of the opinion that adoption of the procedure suggested by the United Kingdom would imply the assumption of direct responsibility with respect to solution of the refugee problem by the United States in conjunction with the United Kingdom. This Government is not prepared to accept such direct responsibility for solution of the refugee problem. Moreover, it is considered that the establishment of a survey group by the Conciliation Commission is clearly within its terms of reference as set forth in the General Assembly Resolution of December 11, 1948, and that the Conciliation Commission would not be fully discharging its functions if it failed to take such action. The United States does not wish to undermine the authority of the Commission through unilateral or joint action within the range of the latter’s competence.

The Department of State agrees with the United Kingdom that the proposed survey group should be small, that it should consist of the best qualified experts obtainable, and that it should be free to make its survey without supervision or interference. It is assumed, however, that these objectives could be achieved under the auspices of the Conciliation Commission if United States and United Kingdom representatives were appointed by the Commission to keep positions in the survey group, in recognition of our special interests in the refugee problem. The United Nations Relief for Palestine Refugees may be cited as an example of a United Nations body which was established on sound organizational lines and has carried out its task without interference, essentially under American and British leadership.

The Department of State agrees that it would be desirable for the states concerned to associate themselves with and participate in the work of the survey group. Indeed, it is considered necessary for the success of the group that it be created as a result of the invitation of the states concerned and with their full cooperation, to assist them in carrying out developmental projects of their own choice.

In view of the urgency of the refugee problem, the Department of State agrees that first consideration should be given to projects for which basic surveys have already been made.

The Department of State recognizes that assistance to the states concerned for execution of the refugee program will be required over and above loans likely to be obtained from the International Bank and other fiscal institutions, and is gratified to note the assistance which the United Kingdom has already given Transjordan through the loan of a million pounds.

With respect to paragraph 4 of the United Kingdom statement,³ the Department of State is giving further consideration to the type of organization required to carry out any program recommended by the survey group, and the proper auspices for such an organization. The views of the United Kingdom will be carefully considered in this connection; however, it is not felt that final decision need be made at the present time.

Washington, May 10, 1949.

1. The British views were expressed in the form of a telegram from the Foreign Office to the British Embassy here. The Department copy of this document is undated but was received in Mr. McGhee’s office on May 2. It is filed with the Aide-Mémoire of May 10.
2. See annex 3, p. 939.
3. Paragraph 4 of the Foreign Office telegram cited in footnote 1 immediately above stated that the task of maintaining the refugees and organizing their resettlement should revert “to full and overt United Nations authority” and that a specialized agency of the United Nations would best carry out the function.