Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 1

784.00/10–2253

No. 702
The Brazilian Embassy to the Department of State¹

confidential
SN/920.(55a) (51)

Memorandum

When he passed through Rome en route to Rio de Janeiro, the Minister of Brazil in Tel Aviv² called on Monsignor Tardini in order to inquire about the present opinion of the Holy See on the problem of Jerusalem in the light of recent events.

2. The Holy See views with extreme anxiety the increasing tension on both sides which characterizes the situation between Israel and Jordan; it is convinced that this atmosphere of hatred can at any moment result in an armed conflict of major proportions. Even if such a conflict should last only twenty-four hours, it is obvious that it would again expose the Holy Places to unforeseen risks of damage and even destruction.

3. To avert that danger, which, if it should materialize, might affect world peace, measures must be taken, and each of the parties concerned should take them in a spirit of understanding in keeping with the circumstances.

4. With that noble purpose, graciously and as proof of its desire for peace, the Holy See, as a provisional measure to remove the imminent danger, would be disposed to accept the demilitarization of the Zone of Jerusalem within a radius of fifty kilometers, which Brazil would be prepared to propose.

5. However, if this provisional measure should in practice achieve the results it was desired to obtain by means of the internationalization of the Zone of Jerusalem, recommended by the United Nations, advocated by the Holy See, and supported by Christians and the intellectual world, there would be no objection to the provisional status becoming in actual fact definitive; to this Monsignor Tardini agreed.

6. In this connection, the Holy See would support Brazil in initiating a movement among the Catholic nations, especially the Latin American nations, for the solution of the problem and consequent safeguarding of the treasure of Christianity situated in the Zone of Jerusalem, including Bethlehem. However, for a movement of such magnitude to obtain the success desired, the support of the United States of America would be imperative.

7. Brazil is therefore keenly interested in learning whether it could count on the support of the United States of America for the immediate demilitarization of the Zone of Jerusalem as a provisional solution of the matter. With regard to a definitive solution, Brazil would suggest two formulas: (a) The calling of a conference of the Catholic countries, as well as the United States of America and the United Kingdom, together with Israel and Jordan, to resolve the problems of the Zone of Jerusalem; (b) the calling of an international conference for the signing of a treaty of peace in the Middle East, modeled specifically after the San Francisco Conference for the signing of the Treaty of Peace with Japan, in which not only the countries directly concerned, Arabs and Jews, but also the Christian nations would participate. In the treaty to be signed at that time a chapter would be included which would guarantee the protection of the Holy Places, not only in the Zone of Jerusalem, but also throughout Palestine.³

Washington, October 22, 1953.

1. Department of State translation.
2. José Fabrino de Oliveira Baiao.
3. This note was discussed in a conversation at the Department on Nov. 10 which included Deputy Under Secretary Murphy, Brazilian Ambassador Muniz, and Assistant Secretary Byroade. At the conclusion of the conversation Byroade stated that the matter should be given further study regardless of present difficulties in the area. (784.00/10–2253)