Office of the Historian

350/2–2550: Telegram

The United States Delegation to the Trusteeship Council to the Secretary of State

restricted
Geneva, February 22, 1950—5 p. m.

267. Tcdel 91. Jamali (Iraq) informed USDel and UKDel before TC meeting February 21 that Arab states would not agree to any compromise regarding internationalization. They favored statute as it stands suitably amended. If they cannot obtain complete internationalization, they will then join with Jordan and demand that present actual position in Jerusalem be recognized as they feel Arab states can thus protect Holy Places.1 Jamali realizes this will mean reference back to GA. In reply to USDel query Jamali said he speaking officially for his government, Syria and Egypt.

Sent Department 267; repeated London 67, Jerusalem unnumbered; pouched Damascus, Cairo, Baghdad; Department pass Tel Aviv, Amman, USUN.

  1. The discussion of the Trusteeship Council on February 21 centered on the question of the boundaries of the Jerusalem area. Mr. Jamali contended that the Council had no authority to modify the boundaries of Jerusalem. He stressed that Iraq “stood either for purely Arab Jerusalem or complete internationalization and anything between was unacceptable. If TC intended retreat from GA decision, Iraq would also retreat and join side of Jordan.”

    Mr. Eban disputed the repeated Arab argument that Jerusalem was a wholly Arab city and argued that “Arab representatives regarded internationalization as prelude to Arabization of city. TC, he added, had two alternatives: to embark on purely negative course or to regard protection of Holy Places as basic objective that could and should be retained.” (Telegram 265, identified also as Tcdel 92, February 22, from Geneva, 350/2–2050)

    For a summary of Council discussion on February 21, see TC (VI), pp. 217 ff.

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