320.2 AA/8–1051: Despatch
The Chargé in Lebanon (Bruins) to the Department of State 1
No. 74
Subject: Conversations of Director of UNRWA (PRA) with Egyptian and Jordanian Officials
On August 7, 1951, the Honorable John B. Blandford, Jr., Director of PRA, reported [in] detail to the Advisory Commission concerning his recent visits to Egypt and Jordan. A summary of his remarks follows:
1. Egypt
Mr. Blandford saw the Egyptian Foreign Minister in Cairo on July 23. Salaheddine Pasha opened the conversation by referring to the recent assassinations and disorders in Jordan and Lebanon. He stated that the Palestine problem was at the bottom of these troubles, a fact which emphasized the necessity of seeking a speedy solution.
The Minister agreed that an over-all reintegration program involving all the Arab States was essential, and stated that Egypt would be willing to join in negotiations looking toward a three-year program aimed at solving the refugee problem.
Egypt was already setting the example by her cooperation with the Agency in the Sinai project. Even though the preliminary reports of the water exploration team were disappointing, and large-scale projects there proved unfeasible, the symbolic value of Egypt’s working together with PRA would be considerable.
Egypt was prepared to urge Syria to cooperate in the Agency’s program. Egypt recognizes the necessity of moving large numbers of refugees from their present locations to sites where reintegration facilities could be provided. However, Arab cooperation in refugee [Page 830] movement and in the reintegration program must not be interpreted by anyone, particularly Israel, as a sign that the Arabs were forgetting the problem or ready to forgo support of refugee rights against Israel.
The Minister stated his belief that the Arab League should be the forum for negotiations for the over-all program and suggested that Mr. Blandford get in touch with Azzam Pasha.
Salaheddine Pasha volunteered the view that Egypt and the Arab States were opposed to the Agency’s assisting refugees in emigrating to countries outside the Arab World. The Arabs did not want the refugees dispersed and wished to see them remain in Arab States. There was no objection to PRA’s sending skilled refugees to Libya.
The Director next saw Ismail Cherine Bey, commander of the Egyptian frontiers, and Egyptian Government Liaison Officer with PRA (succeeding Ali Marei Bey, presently Egyptian Director of Protocol). Cherine said he had two additional areas available in the Sinai Peninsula if the present explorations continue to be disappointing. He would like a joint committee set up to advise a first-class project manager. Cherine would make every effort to find an eminently qualified Egyptian for project manager. However, if none were available, he would have no objection to a foreigner.
Cherine expressed his enthusiastic support of an over-all program and promised every assistance in persuading other Arab states, particularly Syria. He reported that his own private inquiries convince him that the ex-Mufti of Palestine is no longer opposing reintegration and would agree to large-scale projects in Syria.
Cherine stated that Egypt does not wish to assume the responsibility for administering refugee relief, preferring to concentrate her energies on reintegration.
The Director saw Azzam Pasha briefly who was most cordial and stated that it was up to PRA to take the next step and to present its program for Arab consideration. He declared that the facilities of the Arab League were available to the Agency for use in negotiations.
Mr. Blandford was able also, through the kindness of Ambassador Caffery, to discuss the situation informally with the American, British and French chiefs of mission in Egypt. The Turkish representative was not available.
2. Jordan
Mr. Blandford arrived in Amman in the afternoon of August 3. Through the kindness of Minister Drew, he was able to have discussions with the American, British and French Ministers (the Turk again being unavailable) in the presence of Sir Alexander Galloway, PRA’s new country representative in Jordan.
After reviewing basic policy, Mr. Blandford reported to the group a conversation he had had with General Riley of the U.N.T.S.O. in which they agreed to the usefulness of an international study of the legal aspects of the waters of the Jordan River and its tributaries. Such a study, by sorting out the problems involved, would be an essential basis for any future agreement among riparian states as to the use of the waters. PRA’s hopes to reintegrate large numbers of refugees in Jordan depended heavily on the availability of the Yarmuk River. The French Minister indicated strong agreement with [Page 831] Mr. Blandford’s thinking and stated he had some days before sent a similar proposal to his Government.
At the suggestion of Minister Drew, the representatives in Jordan of the countries represented on PRA’s Advisory Commission plan to meet periodically with Sir Alexander Galloway for information purposes.
The following morning Mr. Blandford paid his respects at the tomb of King Abdullah and called on the Regent, Emir Naif. The Regent assured the Director that, in the tradition of his distinguished father, he would cooperate fully with the Agency, so long as he was Regent.
The Director then saw the Prime Minister, the Minister of Reconstruction, and the Minister of Health. The Prime Minister said his Government was prepared to discuss a three-year program and agreed concerning the necessity of cooperation among all the Arab States. The present Government wishes to discuss the question of Jordan’s taking over relief administration at cabinet level before making any further proposals in this regard. Mr. Blandford detected a possible loss of enthusiasm on the part of Jordan for shouldering the unpopular responsibility of relief administration.
The Director had an opportunity of visiting the Musa Bey Alami resettlement project near Jericho. The present plans are to settle 25 families as individual farmers, 100 wage-earners on a 500-acre plantation, and to provide an agricultural school for 100 refugee boys. The Director and the Advisory Commission have agreed to PRA assistance being made available to Musa Bey for the execution and possible enlargement of the project.
Mr. Blandford talked with some of Musa Bey’s assistants on the project, one of whom listed some interesting categories of refugees who could or would not be reintegrated on the project: (a) refugees who are so poor that they would need outside assistance to enable them to survive until a crop came in; (b) refugees who are so troublesome that the project managers don’t want them; (c) refugee capitalists who want to take over and exploit several one-family tracts; (d) refugees who still stubbornly refuse anything but repatriation; and (e) refugees who worry about the quality of land available on the project.
3. General
Mr. Blandford concluded his report to the Advisory Commission by reiterating his earlier view that the major problem ahead is not Arab Government cooperation but cooperation from the refugees themselves.
There might also be later hesitation on the part of the Arab States at pulling large numbers of refugees away from Israel’s present borders. The Arabs might reason that this would create a vacuum which Israel would be all too eager to fill.
There seems to be appearing a reluctance on the part of the Arab States to take over relief administration.
Mr. Blandford concluded by stating that he would be ready at an early meeting to discuss the steps towards framing a specific proposal to the Near East Governments for an over-all reintegration program.
- Drafted by Mr. Bergus. Sent also to the other Arab capitals, Tel Aviv, London, Paris, Tripoli, and Benghazi.↩