357.AC/4–1450: Telegram
The Ambassador in Egypt (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
384. Azcarate, Secretary PCC, tells us that Foreign Ministry [Minister] Salaheddin Bey declined this morning on behalf of Arab States to participate in new committees as proposed by PCC until Israel accepted GA Resolution of December 11, 1948, on refugees. Salaheddin in prepared statement as approved by Arab League Council (mytel 383, April 141) reviewed attitude of Israel along lines reported mytel 377, April 132 and stated Arabs regarded as key question whether Israel would in fact accept principle of return of refugees as formulated in GA Resolution. In addition Arabs would also expect Israel to guarantee safety of returning refugees and to apply Charter of Human Eights to them. If Israel accepted these conditions Arabs would send delegation to meet Israeli delegation under PCC chairmanship. [Page 859] Arabs would join other committees on matters where Israel agreed in principle. Boisanger replied that he would report the Arab statement to his PCC colleagues. Azcarate said Boisanger was obviously disappointed and felt that Arab attitude together with the publications blast from Tel Aviv on Arabs made prospect of peace very difficult.
Sent Department 384, pouched London, Tel Aviv, Arab capitals.
- Not printed; but see editorial note, supra.↩
- Not printed; it advised that Foreign Minister Salaheddin supported Arab League acceptance of the Palestine Conciliation Commission’s proposal for a series of committees but that the trend in the Political Committee of the League was opposed (357.AC/4–1350).↩