393. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (Rountree) to the Secretary of State1
SUBJECT
- Initiative for a Palestine Settlement
Discussion:
In recent weeks there have been a number of expressions that the time was not only opportune for a new initiative looking toward a general settlement of the Palestine problem, but that the situation in the Near East made such an initiative imperative. Ahmed Shukairy, the Palestinian presently heading the Saudi Delegation to the United Nations, has so indicated to Ambassador Lodge. Charles Malik of Lebanon has stressed this point both in his conversations with you and in talks in New York. Canada and Norway, in working closely with us in the handling of the Syrian matter in New York, did so with the hope that they were helping to create an atmosphere favorable to progress toward a settlement. Mr. Menzies of Australia in a recent speech stressed the need for an imaginative and vigorous approach to this problem.
These expressions of view seem to resolve around the central point that it is up to the United States to take a strong lead in any effort looking toward a Palestine settlement. We believe that insofar as a United States initiative is concerned, we would be at a heavy disadvantage. In the present situation in the area, any display of vigor on our part would almost inevitably be exploited by unfriendly elements [Page 789] as an attempt by the United States to impose a settlement by force. Furthermore, it is difficult to envisage a successful effort for a settlement which would not involve the cooperation of Nasser. The status of United States-Egyptian relations makes it unlikely that such cooperation would be forthcoming to a United States initiative.
At the same time, the encouragement of widespread interest throughout the world in a Palestine settlement furthers United States objectives in the area. To this end we feel it would be useful if we evinced our interest in such a settlement at a high level. We suggest that you might wish to invite Ambassador Engen, head of the Norwegian Delegation to the United Nations, to come to Washington for a confidential and informal discussion on the Palestine situation, with a view to suggesting that Norway might wish quietly to explore the possibilities for progress toward a settlement. Ambassador Engen is deeply interested in this matter and has been most helpful to us in United Nations questions regarding the Middle East. In such an exchange of views, you would have the opportunity to set forth to him in some detail what the United States would be prepared to do by way of contributing to an Arab-Israel settlement.
Recommendation:
That you invite Ambassador Engen to come to Washington at your convenience for an hour’s discussion of the Palestine problem. A briefing memorandum will be prepared.2