Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

501.BB Palestine(E)/9–2749

Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Wilkins) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and African Affairs (McGhee)¹

secret

[Washington,] September 27, 1949.

Subject: Emphasis on Work Belief by Economic Survey Mission.

Discussion:

There are attached two telegrams² concerning the Economic Survey Mission’s intention of placing primary emphasis initially upon work relief projects “not necessarily implying permanent resettlement”, hi preparing its interim report. The telegrams clearly suggest that the question of permanent settlement projects would be deferred until the final report of the Mission, which will probably not be submitted until January 1, after the closing of the General Assembly.

Although the political considerations which motivated this tactical shift are understandable, the question of the time factor involved in the proposed schedule must be taken into account. If the preliminary report of the Mission is drafted solely or chiefly within the context of work relief projects, action in the General Assembly would presumably have to be confined to voting a large-scale relief and work relief program. Assuming that such a resolution could obtain the necessary votes in the Assembly, such a program would necessitate a greatly increased expenditure over a straight relief program, without materially advancing liquidation of the refugee problem, and would tend to further prolong the present political stalemate with respect to the refusal of both sides to get on with settlement of the refugee problem. Finally, the proposed emphasis would preclude action at the General Assembly to establish an Authority, which must be based principally on permanent settlement and development projects.

In view of the importance of the preliminary report of the Economic Survey Mission as a springboard for the establishment of the Authority, together with the advantage of obtaining concrete progress on permanent settlement projects where political conditions are favorable to their early initiation, notably in Jordan, it is believed that Mr. Clapp’s preliminary report should be drafted as a total program of relief, work relief, settlement and development projects, and that his final report should constitute a more detailed elaboration of these several aspects.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that these considerations be brought to Mr. Clapp’s attention in the very near future, perhaps in connection with transmittal of the working paper concerning the Authority, and that he be urged to draft his report in a manner calculated to give us a basis on which to obtain financing of long range projects as well as work relief.³

1. Sent also to Mr. Gardiner.
2. Not found attached.
3. Attached is an undated note to Mr. Wilkins from Mrs. Hope, stating that “This is the memo with which we tried to shift Clapp’s, approach.” The Department, on September 30, informed Beirut that the ESM intention to place its main emphasis on work relief in the early stages was causing concern, “lest ESM not include full consideration in interim report of operational plan … together with general approximation costs [and] methods financing.

   “Action by UNGA to establish organization under which resettlement and development can move forward is essential, and to assure consideration this session UNGA to permit operations to begin in 1950, interim report shld contain adequate documentation supporting organizational plans.” (telegram 574, 501.BB Palestine(E)/9–3049)