766A.67N/8–1249: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Representative at Vatican City (Gowen)
16. Re conversation on Jerusalem reported urtel 33, Aug 12,1 Dept desirous obtaining broadest possible support for proposals to be presented by PCC. With this in mind, suggest you seize opportune occasion to make fol points to Tardini: US Govt appreciates having Vatican’s views as expressed by him and itself is strongly in favor internatl regime for Jerusalem. US Rep on PCC became convinced at early stage that essential problem confronting Comm was formulation practical proposals having good chance acceptance and which cld be placed in operation resulting in settlement this problem. Plan under consideration by Comm wld provide full UN control and protection Holy Places with provision UN guards for this purpose. Jerusalem area wld be demilitarized. Although substantial powers govt for Jewish-Arab auths deemed necessary to acceptance plan, UN Authority in Jerusalem wld possess real powers preserve character internatl regime and assure protection of and free access to Holy Places.
PCC has devoted arduous work in attempt devise plan which will satisfy essential demands of all concerned. We believe acceptance of plan outlined above will not be possible unless it receives utmost support from Christian community. We earnestly hope Vatican will agree this formula presents best possible satis and practical outcome PCC conscientious endeavor fulfill extremely delicate task assigned it by GA. FYI Cardinal Spellman understood to have transmitted to Vatican copies recent correspondence with Pres re Jerusalem (Dept’s despatch No. 5, July 52), Vatican in turn transmitted to French Rep [Page 1349] PCC. Additional correspondence between Cardinal and Dept being pouched to you.3
- Not printed; it reported a conversation between Mr. Gowen and Msgr. Domenico Tardini, described as the “Vatican Acting Secretary of State,” in which the latter advanced the firm view that “Jerusalem and environs should be placed under international control as indicated by UN in 1947 and again in 1948. Such international control with proper guarantees would assure lasting peace, tranquility [in] Holy Land.… Placing Jerusalem under international control would create buffer area which neither Jews nor Arabs would violate.” (766A.67N/8–1249)↩
- Not printed.↩
- Mr. Gowen, on October 4, reported that Monsignor Tardini had given him the major objections of the Vatican to the formula on Jerusalem proposed by the Palestine Conciliation Commission. He was said to have repeated “many times that only through true and effective international regime and not through international control would it be possible achieve what Vatican would consider fair and proper settlement of this vital problem.” One of the more specific objections was the Commission’s acceptance “with some limitations Arab and Israeli sovereignty over their respective zones. However, it facilitates conflicts between two neighboring groups and complicates commissioner’s role who is placed without adequate powers between two sovereign groups.” (telegram 41 from Vatican City, 867N.01/10–449)↩