Conference files, lot 59 D 95, CF 156: Telegram
No. 14
The Consul General in Jerusalem
(Tyler) to
the Department of State
157. As far as Consulate General knows administratively all went well visit Secretary and party in Israel-Jerusalem (Tel Aviv has details). Party left on schedule under heavy police escort and those persons along route Consulate General to Mandelbaum Gate clapped as Secretary drove past. Israel security escort stopped Israel side Mandelbaum Gate and party proceeded without stopping past UN observers in no-mans-land to Jordan side. Met there by Undersecretary Foreign Affairs, Governor Jordan-Jerusalem, protocol officer and Chief of Police, AL Arab Legion escort. Proceeded to Consulate General Arab side where party met about 45 notables including heads of Greek Orthodox, Armenian and Roman Catholic Patriarchates and Anglican Bishop, to whom Secretary expressed his pleasure at being in Jerusalem for first time and stated that he had always thought of Jerusalem in a religious and not political sense. Then Aref-El Aref, former Mayor of Jerusalem, fired for making a tactless remark against King Talal, addressed Secretary summarizing usual complaints (Jordan press full of editorials and open letters past few days repeating these), requesting return of refugees and enforcement of 1947 partition and blaming US for continued support Israel, especially policies of President Truman. [Page 41] Two Arab friends of his at my request, tried to stop him (Secretary replied that while Americans may have differences of opinion at home they do not do so abroad and he would never associate himself with criticism of former President).
Substance of above in Jordan and Israel press this morning. Jordan press noted he spent only 20 minutes in Jordan-Jerusalem and did not stop to see any refugee camps.
Comment: While Aref-El Aref’s remarks not in good taste, fact that he felt impelled to make them to Secretary indication of how deeply felt those sentiments are among Palestine Arabs. Latter have expressed their pleasure that they were made and their satisfaction over embarrassment to certain Jordan officials, such as Undersecretary Foreign Affairs, who were there.