357. AC/10–2951: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Representative on the Palestine Conciliation Commission (Palmer), at Paris1
priority
2515. Unpal 299. Re Unpal 2982 and Palun 461.3 Dept shares views USDels penultimate paragraph Palun 461 but believes in order make PCC record straight and provide basis for one last appeal to Israeli Del, and for subsequent adjournment PCC conf, if Israeli Del still unmoved, following suggested as possible course of action:
- 1.
- PCC in formal communication to all dels shld indicate its estimate progress made thus far. Letter shld indicate fact all dels now advised PCC’s explanation points in its comprehensive proposals. Shld indicate PCC concern re approaching date commence GA and necessity PCC submit comprehensive report its activities as soon as possible thereafter, and, accordingly shld request all dels indicate by approx Nov 6 whether they prepared discuss with PCC all points in comprehensive proposals. Prelim views of all dels PCC on points and explanations also invited by that date. Letter wld, of course, indicate clearly PCC’s determination continue conf as long as necessary with continued cooperation all dels.
- 2.
- In such manner as you see fit you shld indicate to Israeli del US view formal letter from PCC to all dels must of necessity represent last [Page 924] opportunity Israel indicate willingness explore all points raised in PCC’s comprehensive proposals. Indication of willingness discuss all points without further wrangle non-aggression declaration most likely result Israel’s credit, whether or not subsequent discussion each individual indicates negative Israeli or Arab position or lack agreement between Israeli and Arab dels over possible final settlement. US appreciates Israeli willingness discuss question of compensation as definite step forward but cannot see what Israel believes can be gained by (a) emphasis this pt to exclusion all others and (b) legalistic position Israel discuss individual questions only with PCC.
- 3.
- Position indicated in 2 above will be given to Eban by Hickerson Oct 31 at mtg resulting from Eban’s initiative, unless you indicate opposition this step.
- 4.
- If Arab or Israeli replies unacceptable, PCC then in position indicate formal belief conf shld be adjourned forthwith.4
- Drafted by Mr. Ludlow; approved for transmission and signed for the Acting Secretary by Mr. Hickerson.↩
- Identified also as telegram 2500 to Paris, October 28, not printed; in it, the Department expressed its hopes to Ambassador Palmer that the PCC would postpone a final decision with respect to the future of the Paris conference pending his receipt of the Department’s considered views in Palun 461 which would be forwarded as soon as possible (357.AC/10–2851).↩
- Dated October 27, p. 920.↩
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In Palun 462, identified also as telegram 2525 from Paris, October 30 (not printed), Ambassador Palmer informed the Department that the U.S. Delegation would advocate in the PCC meeting of that afternoon the action suggested by the Department in paragraph one of this telegram and stated that the U.S. Delegation fully agreed to the action envisaged in paragraph two of the telegram (357.AC/10–3051).
On October 31 the PCC addressed a letter to all delegations taking part in the Paris Conference of the Commission. In the letter, the PCC reiterated the point of its letter of October 6 that a basis for negotiations existed, and requested the delegations to state whether they were prepared to discuss with the Commission all points of the Commission’s comprehensive pattern of proposals. (Palun 464 from Ambassador Palmer, identified also as telegram 2561 from Paris, October 31, not printed (357.AC/10–3151)) The Arab delegations responded affirmatively; the Israeli Delegation, while maintaining its previous position, stated that it was prepared to submit its comments on the Commission’s proposals (Palun 465, identified also as telegram 2707 from Paris, November 7, not printed (357.AC/11–751)).
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