Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

867N.01/1–1349: Telegram

The Consul at Jerusalem (Burdett) to the Secretary of State

secret

Jerusalem, January 13, 1949—6 p. m.

us urgent

35. On instructions from PGI Colonel Dayan yesterday called on French Consul General in latter’s capacity as representative of “country most interested in future of Jerusalem” to urge strongly immediate settlement in Jerusalem by negotiations between Israel and Transjordan. Prefaced remarks by stating current talks with Abdullah Tel making no progress and offered no chance success. Asserted UK pre venting King Abdullah from reaching agreement and credentials given Abdullah Tel to negotiate worthless. Dayan requested French Government exert pressure on UK induce latter encourage or allow Transjordan reach immediate settlement re Jerusalem. Requested French Consul General communicate his statements to me with request US also attempt influence UK. Maintained PGI considers agreement in immediate future more important than possibility obtaining better terms in future.

Dayan proposed settlement Jerusalem question apart from question Palestine as whole. Stated because drain on PGI resources and continued deterioration economy Jewish Jerusalem, PGI could not afford indefinite continuation present mobilization particularly in Jerusalem. Asserted PGI not willing wait for arrival Conciliation Commission and inevitably long delays involved until it became familiar with problem and eventually made recommendations to next GA. PGI anxious to settle question by peaceful means, but capable if this not possible of solving problem by force.

Dayan next offered negotiate on basis following extraordinary con cessions made, he stated, in interest quick agreement:

(1) Partition city into homogeneous Jewish and Arab sections. To achieve this, Jews willing relinquish former Arab quarters of Qatamon, German colony, upper and lower Bakka and Maliha which they now hold with boundary line to run west of Maliha. In addition would give up strong military positions of Mount Zion and Der Abu Tor together with Jewish fortified settlements of Ramat Rahel and Talpiyot and Jewish quarter of Mequor Haiyim. Division city on above lines would give Arabs far more than Consul General thought possible.

(2) In return and because of insistence of orthodox Jews, Mount of Ophel, Jewish cemetery on Mount of Olives and Jewish quarter Old City would be excluded from Arab sovereignty and placed under some type international control. Stated PGI might not insist on exclusive [exclusion] Jewish quarter Old City from Arab sovereignty.

(3) Hadassah hospital and Hebrew University on Mount Scopus would remain Jewish and be connected with Jewish Jerusalem by new road bypassing Arab residential quarters.

(4) Recognized above would place railroad station and electric power plant in Arab area but their uses would be supervised by international agency. Jewish use railroad would be discussed later in connection with final Palestine settlement and possible Jewish corridor.

French Consul General cabled above to Paris to London for Schuman¹ in hopes latter could discuss with Bevin on current visit.

Consul General comments:

(1) Settlement Jerusalem question would go far towards restoring peace and stability in Middle East which Consul General understands is primary objective US.

(2) Regardless whether UK discouraging Egypt and Transjordan from reaching agreement with PGI for strategic reasons related to Negev, UK would have no valid reasons for opposing settlement con fined to city Jerusalem.

(3) Settlement above basis might involve renunciation principle international city as called for by GA resolution but both French Consul General and I believe clause could be included in agreement between PGI and Transjordan to effect agreement would not prejudice any action by UN to internationalize entire area. Even if not accept able consider establishment peace by agreement more important than internationalization Jerusalem.

(4) Although PGI action may be motivated by hidden tactical reasons and wish to use troops elsewhere, both French Consul General and I believe reflects genuine PGI desire establish permanent peace Jerusalem (Contel 1550, December 23²) avoiding further military action this area.

(5) Despite Jewish desire for peace, believe PGI will solve question by force if prospects immediate peaceful settlement fade.

(6) Proposed division city extremely favorable to Arabs and would meet their current demands as to demarcation line.

(7) Proposals made by Dayan would fit very well into suggestions for future Jerusalem contained in Contel 1530, December 13.³

Consul General therefore urges most strongly US seize present opportunity and press for settlement Jerusalem problem immediately. Conditions change very rapidly in Palestine and present opportunity should not be allowed escape by delay. Department may wish discuss question with UK with object obtaining full UK approval for settlement Jerusalem immediately and apart from Palestine problem as whole. Kirkbride in Amman could communicate UK views to King Abdullah and upon PGI receiving assurances through US of UK attitude Dayan and Abdullah El Tel could meet and work out details. Contribution to general stabilization in Middle East and contagious effect throughout Palestine of immediate Jerusalem settlement far outweigh probable advantages delaying in hope sustaining international city in future.⁴

Sent Department 35, repeated London, pouched Amman.

Burdett

1. Robert Schuman, French Minister for Foreign Affairs.
2. Foreign Relations, 1948, vol. v, Part 2, p. 1687.
3. Foreign Relations, 1948, vol. v, Part 2, p. 1665.
4. The Department, on January 14, informed Jerusalem that the subject matter of telegram 35 was discussed by officers at the working level with representatives of the British Embassy and it was agreed that the “matter presented possibilities which merited further urgent and very careful consideration.” (telegram 24, 867N.01/1–1349)

   On January 14, Jerusalem reported the thinking of the French Consul General that the “opportunity obtain real international city past and United Nations will prove unwilling furnish troops and other essentials for effective United Nations control. France’s primary objective should, therefore, shift to obtaining peace on terms acceptable to both sides. Consulate General agrees entirely with this reasoning. Extent Jewish concessions should be emphasized. PGI offering give up positions essential to defense Jewish Jerusalem thus indicating clearly is move for permanent peace. Areas involved such that considerable political opposition must be anticipated within Israel.” (telegram 36, 867N.01/1–1449)