Office of the Historian

501.BB Palestine/7–2249: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Legation in Switzerland 1

secret
Washington, July 22, 1949—7 p. m.

Unpal 199. For USDel, Lausanne. Re Deptel 472 Jul 22 to Tel Aviv Dept wld appreciate comments appropriate procedure in event failure parties agree demarkation lines and related subjects Jlem area. Dept considering fol alternatives:

PCC might recommend as part of proposals that agreement shld be reached by parties and that failing agreement within specified time UN authority shld delimit zones on basis status quo Nov 29, 1947.

Second alternative. If parties fail agree within next few weeks PCC shld make own recommendations as part of proposals after consulting expert opinion in Jlem.2

Acheson
  1. This telegram was repeated to Tel Aviv as No. 471, to Jerusalem as No. 304, to Amman as No. 101, and to New York as 382.↩
  2. In reply to this telegram and the one supra, Ambassador McDonald observed that the problems of Jerusalem, refugees, and boundaries were “little if any nearer solution than when PCC was created, more than seven months ago.” The Ambassador concluded that “Lack of progress not attributable personalities nor wholly to inherent difficulties of issues nor to stubborness governments concerned. Department should face fact that PCC has been inherently self-stultifying. Despite Porter’s best efforts PCC will, I fear, remain incapable that series of strong affirmative united actions essential bring Arab states and Israel to move beyond present armistices.

    “In light of PCC record, gravity of unsettled problems and urgent need for speedy action, I urge Department begin now campaign to have UNGA replace PCC by single man authority. This change vital even if Bunche be not available to do job.” (telegram 566, July 26, 7 p. m., from Tel Aviv, 501.BB Palestine/7–2649)

    ↩