357.AC/9–2751: Telegram
The United States Representative on the Palestine Conciliation Commission (Palmer) to the Secretary of State 1
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1901. Palun 451. At present stage PCC is concentrating efforts in both formal and informal meetings on persuading parties (a) to accept preamble and (b) to agree discuss remaining five points of PCC proposals. Prior to meeting with Arab dels 25th Barco and Azcarate had informal discussions with each Arab del urging them accept preamble as best means going forward with negotiations. Abdel Monem, Egyptian rep, seemed most receptive idea that Arab position wld be enhanced by prompt acceptance preamble, but stated he cld not accept on his own responsibility. He did have authority state in open meeting Egyptian Govt had no aggressive intentions whatever and wld settle any differences with other party strictly in accordance with armistice agreement. He indicated that after having made such a statement, if Comm wished to conclude that this amounted to acceptance of preamble, he might be agreeable Comm’s issuing communiqué to effect PCC received statements of Arab States peaceful intentions which PCC considered an acceptance of principles of preamble.
At subsequent meeting with Arab dels I asked on behalf of PCC that Arab dels accept preamble in order to make it possible proceed to seek comprehensive solution to Palestine problem along lines set forth in PCC’s pattern of proposals. In course of Abdel Monem’s reply he [Page 880] stated Egypt wld respect armistice agreements as long as other party did same but that if Comm wished have a further affirmation of Egypt’s pacific intentions, he was prepared give it.
Fawzi Mulki, Jordan rep, stated Arab dels had reaffirmed their pacific intentions in joint reply to chairman’s opening statement. Jordan had always respected provisions of armistice agreement and continued consider them as binding. Any further declaration by Arab Govts wld only be repetition of what had already been said.
Shukairy, Syrian rep, stated it was too early either accept or reject preamble, which he said shld be regarded as conclusion or result of agreement. When agreement had been reached on substantive matters preamble cld serve as instrument for expressing intentions of the parties. He felt Arab Govts cld make no more satisfactory declaration than that contained in armistice agreements.
Fol these statements meeting was recessed while Secretariat submitted to Arab dels proposed communiqué stating Arab dels had made statements reaffirming their peaceful intentions, and had accepted principles of preamble. Arab dels however cld not agree to issuance of such communiqué. Alternative drafts were submitted but with same negative results. Meeting was therefore adjourned.
In considering present position, PCC has decided it must continue urge acceptance preamble by both sides and agreement by both sides consider PCC’s five proposals. We feel minimum satisfactory reply to Israel’s demand for non-aggression pact is acceptance by Arab States of statement already proposed by Comm in form of preamble. Likewise PCC feels Israel shld accept declaration in form proposed by PCC without making issue of something PCC itself had not asked Arab States to accept. Present plan is have next meeting with Israel del when PCC will request Israel accept preamble and agree discussion its further proposals. Acceptance by either side at this stage will undoubtedly give PCC stronger arguments for acceptance by other. Encouragement to both sides by Dept and US Missions wld be invaluable.
- Repeated for information to London, Ankara, Cairo, Tel Aviv, Damascus, Beirut, Amman, and Jerusalem.↩