501.BB Palestine/5–1749: Telegram
Mr. Mark F. Ethridge to the Secretary of State
Palun 155. During past few days PCC has had further meetings with Israeli and Arab delegations separately. Discussion revolved around emergency steps which Israel was willing to take on basis of PCC memo (re Palun 1451) and activities of General Committee in relation to Israeli Arab PCC protocol (re Palun 148)2
[Page 1019]Eytan restricted his remarks to general Israeli views on boundaries indicating specific details would be discussed with General Committee. Eytan said re refugees Israel was willing to do as much as it could, but that it could not handle problem alone and that its contribution would depend on extent of final settlement and on character of territorial arrangements. Eytan insisted Israeli view should be presented to Arabs by PCC. Eytan observed that admission of Israel to UN” formalized its rights under charter as well as its obligations. Charter is based on premise that UN members settle disputes by peaceful means. Israel would welcome statement to this effect by Arabs and suggested PCC obtain it. Charter is also based on sovereign equality of its members. Israeli admission to UN should thus facilitate Arab problem of working and negotiating with Israel.
Eytan remarked re boundaries that partition was based on independent states in Palestine, but [he] did not mention economic union or internationalization of Jerusalem. Arabs tried to prevent but failed as Jewish state was established and Arab was not. On November 29 GA did not divide Palestine between Jews and Arab states but between Jews and Arabs of Palestine. Arab states have no claim whatsoever on Palestine. Arab states are in temporary military occupation of Palestine. First task of General Committee is to face this situation of unlawful military occupation. Israeli delegation will insist on withdrawal of all Arab states. Principle of self determination should be observed for Arab Palestine. Future of Arab Palestine should be left to its inhabitants.
PCC observed in reply that if its first task was removal of Arab troops from Arab Palestine it might also be argued removal of Israeli troops from Arab Palestine would be required. Eytan conceded logic of argument, but expressed view Israeli occupation was legitimate whereas Arab occupation was not.
PCC also observed that assuming plebiscite for Arab Palestine was necessary or desirable, essential preliminary step would undoubtedly be return of refugees to their homes. Eytan did not reply or expand his remarks re this subject.
Comment: PCC has consistently pressed Arabs to consider refugee question in context of final settlement including territorial arrangement. PCC doubts wisdom of urging Arabs at this early stage in negotiations to issue unilateral statement re settlement of disputes by peaceful means since this objective may be accomplished through their agreement to preamble (Palun 146) and is actually demonstrated by their presence in Lausanne and continuance of talks through PCC.
Re withdrawal of Arab troops and plebiscite in Arab Palestine, GA resolution December 11 is silent on both subjects. Eytan virtually [Page 1020] withdrew Israeli demand re withdrawal of Arab forces when faced with possibility of counter demand re withdrawal Israeli forces. Simultaneous withdrawal, although desirable, is beyond realm of practical possibility at this time. Plebiscite for Arab Palestine also seems impractical. Recent reports indicate, in any event, that Transjordan military administration is gradually being converted into Transjordan civil administration. In final analysis it seems equitable to argue that neither Israel nor Arabs have right to stipulate governmental structure of other, and thereafter to base their remarks re territorial change and other matters on such stipulation.
This morning Arabs vehemently held to their formal collective position that refugees return should be given absolute priority over other aspects of problem. PCC replied it continues press Israelis on refugee issue but, as this is unquestionably bound up with territorial settlement, PCC could not confine discussions purely to refugee matters.
Comment: PCC hopes move Arabs to more practical position when General Committee meetings begin, especially as there will then be opportunity for discussion with individual delegates. At moment Arabs are mainly occupied watching each other.
Israelis too may be induced to adopt more realistic approach when they realize UN debating tactics are of little value here where they are in reality dealing with Arabs only rather than with UN.
We also hope Israelis will realize prejudicial effect their present press tactics may have on progress of Lausanne talks (re Palun 147).3 Following confidential statement to PCC re withdrawal qf Arab troops Eytan related substance at press conference. USDel has pointed out to Israelis such tactics will not further negotiations and, if continued, might definitely prejudice them.