501.BB Palestine/8–1149: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Delegation at Lausanne 1
Unpal 224. Reference para four Palun 2662 Elath was clearly informed of Dept position on July 28 as stated Unpal 214.3 Meanwhile, to remove any doubt which might exist in Elath’s mind or in his reports to his Govt, Asst Secy McGhee on Aug 9 took advantage of Elath’s presence in Dept for purpose presenting new Israeli Economic Counselor to emphasize 1) reports from USRep Lausanne indicated Arab reaction to Israeli refugee proposal was unfavorable; 2) press releases from Tel Aviv indicating that “Israel’s offer…4 has been reed favorably by President Truman” were not indicative of US thinking; 3) whatever merits of Israeli offer may be, it does not meet provisions of para 11 GA res Dec 11; 4) Israeli offer does not provide suitable basis for contributing to solution of Arab refugee question in view of limited extent to which Arab states are now able to absorb refugees on econ and financial grounds; 5) if Israel cld accept 230,000 Arab refugees from Gaza area, it shld be able to make more substantial offer now; and 6) on balance, US does not consider present Israeli offer to repatriate 100,000 Arab refugees satisfactory from standpoint of basis for ultimate solution of refugee problem. Although we remain unwilling to assume responsibility for naming figure, McGhee suggested to Elath that only Gaza figure or higher wld appear to offer satisfactory basis.
Elath expressed disappointment re reported Arab reaction. Present Israeli proposal to repatriate 100,000 Arab refugees was maximum for econ and security reasons, particularly latter. Elath added, how [Page 1298] ever that his Govt wld be informed re six points which McGhee emphasized.
Israeli reaction remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Unpal 2235 shld further reinforce any discussions you may have re second point.
Dept approves three-point procedure in Palun 266. Re second point, separate tel is being sent re Palun 265.6 Re third point, Dept suggests differing views within PCC be included in conclusions as alternatives rather than as individual US, French or Turkish “plans”. Procedure in Unpal 2137 is considered preferable at this stage.
Dept approves five-point formula for solution re refugees.
Re name US member of survey group, most promising candidate was unable to accept because of other commitments. Dept is actively working on this matter and hopes to inform you further shortly.
- This telegram was repeated to London.↩
- Dated August 5, from Lausanne, p. 1287.↩
- Dated July 29, to Lausanne, not printed; but see footnote 2, p. 1263.↩
- Omission indicated in the source text.↩
- Dated August 9, to Lausanne, p. 1291.↩
- Dated August 5, from Lausanne, p. 1286.↩
- Dated July 28, to Lausanne, p. 1267.↩