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

867N.48/7–649: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Legation in Jordan

restricted

Washington, July 6, 1949—6 p. m.

93. In meeting with Haikal July 6 McGhee expressed appreciation for cooperative attitude shown by Jordan re refugees but pointed out any int. assistance in solving refugee problem depended upon agreement Israelis and Arabs accept their responsibilities re repatriation and resettlement. Said he thought public announcement by Jordan of readiness accept some refugees might be helpful in leading other Arab states agree accept own responsibilities. Inquired whether Haikal thought his Govt willing make such statement.

Haikal said wld consult Amman but believed Govt wld be agreeable make public statement accepting for resettlement a number of refugees “who did not desire return to homes in Israeli-occupied areas”, with proviso re int. assistance.

In conversations this matter with auths you shld stress necessity that all parties accept responsibilities re refugees in order provide basis for any possible int. aid within framework UN. Wld be difficult, for example, establish int. refugee program on basis cooperation only one country such as Jordan. You shld inform auths that US believes public statement by Jordan wld be helpful in inducing other Arab states cooperate, but leave no doubt in their minds that while statement wld be deeply appreciated by US, it wld only be first steps and that int. refugee program can not be established without cooperation Israel and Arab states and without prior survey resettlement and repatriation possibilities in Arab states and Israel. State US continues press Israel re repatriation.

In conversations with auths you shld emphasize points made Depcirctel June 27.¹

Acheson

1. The formal reply to the Chargé’s representations were embodied in a Jordanian Foreign Office note of July 19. The note stated that Jordan supported the right of the refugees to return to their country in accordance with United Nations decisions and that the Government would cooperate concerning those refugees who did not wish to return, providing financial assistance were forthcoming (telegram 285, July 20, 9 a. m., from Amman, 501.BB Palestine/7–2049). Mr. Stabler concluded his telegram with the observation that “No mention is made in note of public statement. It is clear from various talks with Foreign Minister and others that Jordan Government does not feel it can make such statement at this stage.”