320/11–2251: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Department of State
priority
Delga 307. Re: Palestine. Evening Nov 20 Jessup and staff held preliminary discussion with Gen Riley (Gadel 182)1 re GA action to place PCC function assisting political settlement in hand successor machinery, assuming abolition PCC. Jessup initially asked Riley how far he himself cld go in attempts bring parties together for negots under his authority as Chairman MACs, and asked his views re termination PCC. Riley replied he felt able, in his present capacity, to call for bilateral discussions between Israelis and particular Arab state, but such discussions or negots wld be limited to scope to possible revision armistice agrmts. He said he favored liquidation PCC but with some agency in reserve on whom parties cld call if they wished, or if situation developed favorable to initiating negots among parties. He added that Arabs, in particular, wld probably wish some UN rep assist in such negots.
He believes responsibility for moving toward further negots rests clearly with the parties and not with UN, though latter shld have a person or agency available to assist or recommend if suitable climate develops. Shld opportunity develop for negots, he feels better progress wld be made on bilateral rather than multilateral basis, since crucial problems are at issue between Israel and Egypt (Gaza) and Israel and Syria (Huleh), with Jordan and Lebanon indirectly affected. He feels Egypt is key to progress.
In response Jessup’s suggestion GA cld grant Riley a broader political authority, he replied that wld be needed if, in addition his present functions in connection armistice agrmts, it were intended he shld deal with political problems beyond scope of armistice agrmts. Riley seemed quite receptive to Jessup’s suggestion and thought GA cld adopt broad formula saying chief of staff is available for work in political field. Sense of mtg was that, while Riley’s present powers stem from armistice agrmts, as confirmed by SC, GA cld properly authorize attribution additional political functions to chief of staff and request him assume them. Jessup asked Gen if he thought such GA action might “backfire” or cause parties to shun political negots. Riley replied parties need a little push, but initiative wld have to come from them and, under present conditions, primarily from Israelis. He did not feel that such GA action wld handicap his present work under armistice agrmt. He felt under above general formula he wld have authority discuss political problems with parties on bilateral basis which he considers indispensable. He said certain measure separate dealing with parties necessary in any case since armistice agrmts [Page 943] are strictly bilateral instruments. Jessup and staff suggested GA might invest chief of TSO with general authority of assist parties in field of polit settlement and Riley agreed.
Riley is convinced that French attempting perpetuate PCC in order assert their interests in Near East. He recalled that in 1949 they had wished keep him out of Palestine. USGADel staff indicated Turkish thinking leans direction continuance PCC, but without such strong feeling as French.
Jessup inquired Riley’s reaction our thinking that problems refugee repatriation and compensation ought to be taken out of political sphere and placed in humanitarian sphere. Riley strongly agreed, but said there is almost no prospect of repatriation. Question who shld be vested with responsibility re repatriation and compensation was not further pursued.