320/11–1751: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Representative on the Palestine Conciliation Commission (Palmer), at Paris1
Gadel 182. Unpal 301. Re Palestine.
1. On assumption PCC conf ending and PCC now preparing GA report,2 and on further assumptions Blandford and Riley now in Paris and confidentially advised US position in SD/A/C1/373 of Oct 12,3 Dept now of opinion important US GADel Riley and Blandford confer confidentially re possible reassignment of functions shld PCC be abolished. Dept fully appreciates views expressed by Blandford, Palmer, and Barco re possible handicap obligation Blandford negot [Page 933] re repatriation and compensation. Dept hopes that PCC report will to fullest extent possible indicate impracticability of repatriation. While hoping this view in PCC report might be instrumental in achieving elimination ref repatriation in GA res this year, fact cannot be overlooked keeping out ref to obligation carry out repatriation in Pal GA resolution will be difficult. Dept present view is that assignment of repatriation and compensation responsibilities contingent to considerable degree on results US GADel’s conversations with Blandford and Riley. During course of such discussions US GADel shld point out to Blandford and Riley negot of compensation with Israeli Govt cld be carried on by Agent General as successor to PCC to point at which Agent General and UNRWA Director shld mutually determine compensation payments, as factor in settlement economic problems in Near East, cld be turned over administratively to UNRWA. In line with this thinking Agent General wld conduct such negots re repatriation as mgt be required.
2. Re Palun 469,4 Dept concerned note in Arab replies strong allegation responsibility UN for refugee problem, and particularly Egypt suggestion if Israel cannot pay compensation UN shld shoulder burden. Dept of opinion that PCC in GA report shld in strongest language possible indicate its view UN not responsible for present impasse. UN agencies have done and are doing everything in their power to assist parties, whose primary responsibility it is and must remain to work out political differences and economic problems in area.
3. Re Palun 4665 re timing report, Dept will be largely guided by US GADel views. Dept believes PCC and UNRWA reports shld be made available GA in such fashion at such time maximize likelihood their being considered together. Dept has assumed Ad Hoc Comm wld not consider Palestine items until late session but if agreement reached re reports, assignment of PCC functions, single debate Pal items and co-sponsorship, Dept agreeable earlier time.
4. Re report, Dept hopes it will see draft soonest prior submission SYG.
- Drafted by Mr. Ludlow; cleared with NE, NEA, and UNE; approved for transmission by Mr. Popper.↩
- The Progress Report of the U.N. Conciliation Commission for Palestine to the General Assembly (U.N. Doc. A/1985) was considered by the Assembly at the 33d to 41st meeting of the Ad Hoc Political Committee from January 7–15, 1952.↩
- Ante, p. 892.↩
- Dated November 15; not printed, but see footnote 2, p. 929.↩
- Dated November 10, p. 925.↩