867N.00/6–1149: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Israel
375. Dept has decided to propose Israel and TJ accept the procedure for Jlem along lines suggested in Jlem Tel 409 Jun 11 rptd to you as 52. Bunche has indicated agreement and requesting Riley act this capacity. You are accordingly requested to make presentation and leave aide-mémoire with Israeli Govt along fol lines:
“The US Govt is increasingly concerned that the situation in Jlem constitutes a threat to peace in Pal. It therefore is presenting the fol proposals to the govts of Israel and TJ with a view to obtaining an agreed settlement as to the questions immed in issue between them.
It is proposed that the two states agree that for this purpose the Special Comite established by the Armistice agreement shld be superseded by the Mixed Armistice Comm which shld meet under the chairmanship of Gen Riley. The terms of reference shld include such questions relating to the demarcation of Jewish and Arab zones, the use of roads and other questions of access to places in the Jlem area, and the functioning of public utilities as require agreement between the parties. Chmn shld have power to make proposals when he deems desirable. Agreed settlement these questions will be without prejudice to final decisions to be taken in collaboration with the UN regarding internatl status of Jlem area, but parties will agree to recommend inclusion agreed settlement in these decisions to extent conformable such decisions.
[Page 1154]The Govt of TJ [Israel] is urged to accept this proposal in a spirit of accommodation and with determination that an agreement must be reached with all possible speed in order eliminate threat Jlem now presents to cause of peace in Pal.”
We realize it may be difficult to achieve final agreement on terms reference thru separate negots Amman and Tel Aviv. However if you can achieve agreement in principle, parties cld meet in Jlem and finalize terms reference under chairmanship Riley.1
- This telegram
was repeated to Jerusalem. A virtually identical message was
sent to Amman as telegram 82 the same day and time. The text of
No. 375 was also sent as Unpal
153 to Bern, for the American Delegation at Lausanne, on June 17
(501.BB Palestine/6–4749).
Ambassador McDonald discussed the subject matter of telegram 375 with Miss Herlitz at the Israeli Foreign Office on June 19 and left an appropriate aide-mémoire the following day. He also described “Burdett’s plan Jerusalem telegram to Department 409 June 11 as sound both in principles and details. It illustrates perfectly why immediate problem Jerusalem solvable only on spot.” (telegram 469, June 20, from Tel Aviv, 501.BB Palestine/6–2049)
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