501.BB Palestine/8–449: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
3071. 1. Points contained Deptel 2710 August 1 communicated Burrows and Beith, August 2.
2. At FonOffs suggestion, Beith and Embassy officer today went over various points and comments contained Deptel 2432 July 13 and subsequent telegrams, as well as relevant FonOff telegrams with British Embassy, Washington. Beith preparing new draft using original British document as basis and endeavoring meet points raised since then. On approval by FonOff, revised document will be telegraphed Department.
3. FonOff anxious know where it stands vis-à-vis Department in regard this matter. Earlier Department comments and reactions were characterized as “informal” and “tentative thinking.” Deptel 2710 states “British and ourselves now appear in substantial agreement in principle.” Can we assure FonOff of Department’s “formal” agreement in principle?
4. FonOff would be glad have Department’s views on timing. As Department knows British thought is to indicate to Egypt and Jordan and possibly other Arab Governments as well as French and Turks that such program would have UK support. (Beith said today they would also probably include Israel. Does Department consider it would; be preferable approach French and Turks before approaching Arab Governments and Israel or approach all simultaneously? Would Department have any objection UK mentioning to French and Turks that US and UK are in substantial agreement in principle?
5. It appears to Embassy that British program holds promise as basis for negotiations in PCC. This being case, Embassy feels there would be considerable advantage if US took initiative in discussing this program with French and Turks, telling them at same time we are discussing it with British. British could then make approach in support. As second phase, PCC could present program to Arabs and Israelis, backed up by strong diplomatic support from UK, US, and, [Page 1286] if desirable, French and Turks. Foregoing procedure would obviate any embarrassment which might be caused by French and Turks learning we have been discussing this question with British outside PCC, and presumably unbeknownst to them. Procedure would, moreover, have advantage keeping negotiations in UN organs which in final analysis will have responsibility for seeing settlement lived up to.