Office of the Historian

501.BB Palestine/5–1849: Telegram

Mr. Mark F. Ethridge to the Secretary of State

secret
Lausanne, May 18, 1949—3 p. m.

Palun 157. I understand and accept views expressed in Unpal 981 but can hardly be expected to concur in view of commitment recorded in intel of April 282 on which I based my statements in PCC and my talks with both Israeli and Arab delegates at Lausanne.

I agree “Israel is now in position of having received US support on all questions on which they are entitled to support and time has not [now] come for them to produce basis for settlement.” We shall continue press them to reveal this basis ire refugees, territory and Jerusalem. It must be admitted, however, that US sponsorship of admission resolution in absence of assurances at Lausanne requested by us has weakened our position and muffled my voice.

This is demonstrated by past admission instransigence of Israeli delegation forecast in Palun 1423 on subject of refugees and territory. Israeli delegation has not indicated acceptance in any way of US policy re refugees and territory as stated by Mr. Acheson to Mr. Sharrett (reDeptel 208, April 64). Its present approach these problems indicates concentration on resettlement rather than repatriation [Page 1029] and acquisition of additional territory rather than exchange. It is difficult furthermore to reconcile this approach with conciliatory responses of Elath to Rusk reported in Unpal 98. We hope, however, Department’s views will prevail after further consideration by Israelis, otherwise Arabs may conclude that no solution is good solution pending September GA. Results would be impasse at Lausanne, maintenance of status quo of armistice lines in Palestine and irreparable delay in essential preliminary steps for resettlement of refugees.

Ethridge
  1. Identified also as telegram 619, May 12, to Bern, p. 1004.↩
  2. This circular telegram stated “We have informed USUN del New York US not now in position join in sponsoring res for admission Israel to UN. We first want from Israeli reps at Lausanne conference assurances re status of Jerusalem, refugees and territorial settlement, which would create favorable atmosphere for admission Israel.” (800.00 Summaries/4–2849)↩
  3. Identified also as telegram 699, May 9, from Bern, p. 988.↩
  4. Not printed, but see footnote 2, p. 894.↩