357.AC/8–951: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Representative on the Palestine Conciliation Commission (Palmer), at Jerusalem1

confidential

26. Unpal 281. Re Palun 426 Aug 9,2 Dept gratified speed and decision PCC re conference and agrees schedule outlined reftel.

Re last para,3 however, Dept does not agree major task of gaining parties’ acceptance shld be left to govts members PCC. In Dept’s view this task primarily responsibility PCC and not member govts. Dept believes PCC shld be prepared fol up invitations with further communications to recipient govts if necessary. Efforts US, UK, Fr, and Turk shld be supplemental to “major effort” PCC this regard.

As indicated in July 27 letter to you,4 US prepared “lend all appropriate dipl support for convening of such conference.” Accordingly, Dept instructing its reps in capitals Israel and interested Arab States to discuss question with UK, Fr, and Turk reps to end that maximum support be brought to bear for govt concerned to accept PCC invitation.

Webb
  1. Drafted by Messrs. Ludlow (UNP) and Waldo (NE); approved for transmission and signed for the Secretary by Mr. G. L. Jones (NE).
  2. Not printed; it dealt with the meeting place and schedule for the forthcoming conference of the Palestine Conciliation Commission (357.AC/8–951).
  3. The last paragraph of Palun 426 stated in part that the PCC was now leaving to the governments represented on the Commission the major task of gaining the parties’ acceptance in the conviction that this could best be obtained by the avoidance of further direct action by the Commission during this period.
  4. Ante, p. 799.