501.MA Palestine/7–949: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Offices 1
You are requested to seek an appropriate occasion to bring orally to the attention of Govt to which you are accredited details of recent Congressional action re US contribution to UNRPR program and implications thereof as fol: US has already contributed $8 million to UNRPR and a further sum of $4 million will be paid shortly under appropriation recently passed by Congress. An additional $4 million may be contributed upon a finding by Pres that other nations have met their obligations to UNRPR. Such finding cannot now be assured in view failure many nations make substantial contributions.
You shld inform Govt that, even if full $16 million forthcoming from US, UNRPR funds wld be exhausted within few months. In event that finding of Pres unfavorable, UNRPR operation will cease in August. USG can not request present Congress authorize further contributions to UNRPR beyond sum which it has already allotted, and it is doubtful whether either UN or US would be responsive to request for additional funds for continued relief program in absence constructive steps by Israel and Arab states upon which cld be based long range repatriation and resettlement program.
You shld make abundantly clear to Govt implications these factors. Upon termination UNRPR, there is no assurance that full burden both administration and financing of relief all refugees will not revert to states in which refugees now being maintained or which constitute occupying authority in respective zones of Arab Pal. Even if tragic humanitarian implications termination international relief fail to move NE states to constructive action, neither Israel nor Arab states can remain aloof to or avoid consequences of attendant security problem.
[Page 1215]USG therefore urges that most serious and urgent consideration be given to consequences of failure to take earliest action to contribute to political agreement through PCC making possible for PCC to take steps looking towards long range solution of refugee problem. In light possible early termination relief program, USG convinced that it is no longer possible for states concerned to maintain present preoccupation with doctrinaire approach to refugee problem or to pursue course dictated solely by narrow self-interest If they persist in doing so, world community, which has borne cost of custodianship refugees during past year, will hold NE states responsible for deterioration already tragic plight of refugees.
USG therefore considers it essential that Arab states and Israel openly assume their respective responsibilities resettlement and repatriation before termination this period of grace.
- At Arab capitals and Tel Aviv and at Bern for the American Delegation at Lausanne.↩