Office of the Historian

350/6–850: Telegram

The United States Representative in the Trusteeship Council (Sayre) to the Secretary of State

secret
priority
New York, June 8, 1950—8:07 p. m.

490. From Sayre. Text of draft resolution set forth below prepared by USDel as indication of action which TC might take re Jerusalem and for purpose of clarifying delegation’s thinking this question. Draft resolution shown informally Fletcher-Cooke (UK) who made certain suggestions incorporated in following text. He indicated UK could readily support Jerusalem text along these lines:

“The Trusteeship Council,

Having received the request of the General Assembly concerning an international regime for the City of Jerusalem contained in resolution 303 (IV) of December 9,1949;

[Page 925]

Having approved on April 4, 1950, a Statute for the City of Jerusalem (T–592) in accordance with that resolution;

Having transmitted the text of the Statute to the Government of Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with a request for their cooperation;

Having received [from] the Governments of Israel and Jordan expressions of views which appear to render impossible the implementation of the Statute;

Decides to transmit the attached report to the General Assembly for its consideration, together with copies of the Statute as approved by the Council, the reply of the Government of Israel dated May 26, 1950, which includes certain new proposals, and all other pertinent documents.”

Report referred to last paragraph above draft resolution would be merely factual statement actions taken TC re Jerusalem during sixth and present sessions.

Delegation has no present intention of introducing resolution on Jerusalem and will keep Department informed this matter.1

[Sayre]

  1. In preliminary soundings made by the U.S. Delegation general agreement with the position of the United States on the handling of the Jerusalem problem was expressed by the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, and the Dominican Republic (telegrams 482, June 6, and 495, June 9, both from New York, 357.AC/6–650 and /6–950).

    The latter message also included for comment a draft statement to be made before the Trusteeship Council by Ambassador Sayre at an appropriate time. The Department of State, on June 12, approved the statement, with various changes in language (telegram 304 to New York, 357.AC/6–1250).

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