Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1957, Volume XVII

53. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (Wilcox) and the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (Rountree) to the Secretary of State¹

Washington, February 2, 1957.

SUBJECT

• Next Steps in General Assembly on the Palestine Problem

Discussion

With probably less than a month remaining in the 11th session of the General Assembly, we believe a decision must now be made concerning when to bring up again for consideration our draft resolution (as revised) on the Palestine problem.² The need for an urgent decision is underscored by the fact that, unless we take the necessary steps, the Arab refugee item³ will be coming before the Special Political Committee for debate by the middle of next week. Present GA concern for the future of the Gaza Strip and the Straits of Tiran and questions relating to the Egyptian-Israeli General Armistice Agreement lead us to believe there is definite tactical advantage to be gained from these developments if we are prepared to move ahead on the Palestine Committee resolution.

We appreciate that whenever this resolution is debated it probably will encounter strong Arab resistance. However, we believe that our original proposal for a Palestine Committee can be so revised as to lessen Arab resistance. While the climate of opinion in the Middle East has not, over the past few weeks, been propitious for successful consideration of a new approach to the settlement of the major problems outstanding between the Arab States and Israel, some of these problems have elements which might be dealt with as first and interim steps to be undertaken by the Palestine Committee.

There is attached (Tab A)⁴ a telegram to USUN outlining the steps envisaged which include postponement of consideration of the UNRWA report until after the Palestine resolution has been considered. We have not finalized our position on the Arab refugee item. However, there is considerable feeling at the working level, which is supported by the report of Mr. Labouisse, Director of UNRWA, that the administrative responsibility for Arab relief should be transferred to the host Arab governments. The revised resolution is attached as Tab B.⁴

Recommendation

That you sign the attached telegrams.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 320.511/2–257. Secret. Drafted by Gamon and Ludlow. A chit attached to the source text by Wilcox dated February 12 reads: “Action on this was deferred after consultations with Ambassador Lodge. The Sec’y agreed on shelving the matter for the time being.”
2. On November 3, 1956, the U.S. Delegation at the United Nations had circulated among members of the General Assembly but not brought to a vote two draft resolutions, containing proposals for long-range solutions to the Arab-Israeli problem and the Suez Canal question. For texts of the two draft resolutions, see the editorial note, vol. XVI, p. 960.
3. Reference is to item No. 23 on the agenda of the 11th Session of the General Assembly entitled, “Report of the Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”. The annual report of UNRWA Director Henry R. Labouisse covered the period July 1, 1955–June 30, 1956. (U.N. doc. A/3212)
4. Not printed.
4. Not printed.