Office of the Historian

501.BB Palestine(E)/9–1349: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom

confidential
priority
Washington, September 13, 1949—9 p. m.

3332. Fol tel received from New York:

(Code room: Please repeat to AmEmbassy London tel from New York no. 1113, Sept 13,1 control no. 4569.)

Despite earlier indications given to AmEmb Baghdad that Iraq wld receive ESM, Govt’s attitude has obviously hardened during past few days. Possibility such action stimulating similar attitude other NE states or even adoption common Arab League policy cannot be excluded. Latter wld of course spell deathblow to ESM.

Since ESM has already received setback, and time is of essence (urtel 3670 Sept 12), pls bring foregoing to attention FonOff soonest, together with Baghdad tel 211 to London, Sept 12,2 and emphasize desirability urgent Brit supporting action.3

Acheson
  1. Not printed; it gave the text of the reply by the Iraqi Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs to Secretary-General Lie’s request that facilities be made available to the Economic Survey Mission. The reply, in effect, refused permission for the Mission to visit Iraq (501.BB Palestine(E)/9–1349).↩
  2. This was a repeat of telegram 579 to the Department of State, not printed.↩
  3. Mr. McGhee, on September 16, expressed his belief to Mr. Clapp that “chances obtaining cooperative attitude improved in view apparent revision attitude Arab dipl reps here as result our discussion this week re objectives ESM. Lebanese Min Malik expressed opinion Sept 14 road ahead for ESM shld be smoother henceforth and Iraqi Chargé stated he had telegraphed his govt recommending cooperation with ESM.

    “UK, Fr and Turks will extend full support in NE to ESM. UK undertaking urge Iraq revise its position as well as urge cooperation other Arab caps. We suggest you take no official cognizance Iraq’s rejection and, if questioned by press, express hope that, as ESM’s purposes are clarified, it will be welcomed by all members NE community.” (telegram 519, identified also as Esmis 2, to Beirut, 501.BB Palestine(E)/9–1649)

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