501.BB Palestine/8–3049: Telegram
Mr. Stuart W. Rockwell to the Secretary of State
Palun 290. Arab delegates August 29 delivered to PCC 19 page joint reply1 to questions put by PCC to all delegates August 15 (Palun 275).2 Israeli reply expected August 30.
Substance Arab reply as follows, based on USDel informal translation from French.
Question (1–A)—Arab delegates cannot subscribe to any act or declaration which would prejudice provisions of December 11 resolutions concerning refugees. However Arab states desire continue aid refugees while defending their inalienable right to return to their homes. In this spirit Arab delegates welcome proposed declaration and state they are in position to study its accomplishment in framework of above principles, taking into account refugees to be settled in Arab Palestine, in Jewish territory and in international zone of Jerusalem.
Question (1–B)—if survey group is established, Arab delegates will recommend to their governments that they facilitate mission of group and take all measures which they shall judge opportune and possible to assist in carrying out solutions which group may propose.
Question (1–C)—Reply affirmative.
Question (1–D)—Reply affirmative.
Question (2)—Syrian and Jordan delegates are in position to declare that their governments are able to receive, after considering findings of survey group, those refugees who do not return to their homes, provided international assistance is furnished. For well-known reasons would be difficult for Egypt to envisage resettlement of refugees in its territory but when eastern frontier of Egypt has been rectified Egyptian delegate would be disposed to examine question in light of prevailing conditions and international assistance. Same reasons make it difficult for Lebanon to accept refugees.
Question (3)—Areas belonging to Arabs according to May 12 protocol and now under Jewish authority are of nature to make important contribution to resettlement of refugees. Compensation can [Page 1338] be of two kinds—purely territorial compensation and compensation for resettlement of refugees not readmitted to Jewish territory. Jews seem determined prevent return of majority of refugees. Therefore, in addition to areas belonging to Arabs according to May 12 protocol, such as western Galilee, Ramleh, Lydda, Jaffa, Beersheba, Jed Faluja, Arab delegates believe they have right to claim, as compensation for refugees not readmitted to Jewish territory, the Negev and eastern Galilee.
Egypt must insure its security and not be separated from Arab world. Jordan must also think of its security and desires direct contact with Egypt. Moreover, central Arab Palestine will benefit by direct access to Mediterranean. For all these reasons Arab delegates consider that all of Negev must be included in Arab Palestine.
As regards eastern Galilee, it is in majority Arab in population and ownership of property. Legitimate Lebanese and Syrian security reasons, in addition to principle of compensation, militate in favor of return of eastern Galilee to the Arabs.
Arab reply concludes with statement that regarding above proposals Arab delegates ready to consider any suggestions PCC may care to make.