501.BB Palestine/3–2549: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Legation in Lebanon
us urgent
145. Unpal 68. [For Ethridge.] Re para 1 Beirut Tel 128 Mar 22, wld prefer not place refugee problem1 before GA at Apr session since Comite 3 agenda already one of largest at this session and explosive character Palestine problem might cause debate to get out of hand. Seems to us paras 11, 13 and 14 GA Res Dec 11 provide sufficient authority for PCC in reporting to SYG to request him to call on specialized agencies and other govts and authorities to render appropriate assistance if necessary.
Concerning reference your para 1 to gen econ development, we wld prefer more restricted formulation along line that solution refugee problem will necessitate stimulation econ projects which would facilitate assimilation refugees and simultaneously raise econ potential of cooperating states.
Re para 2 distinction shld of course be made between planning phase of long-range operation and its execution with respect concept that proposed technical commission upon request govts or authorities concerned provide assistance in obtaining necessary financing for particular projects from internatl or other sources. In our view PCC shld appt technical comite composed of eminent personnel as you suggest, which wld have sole task of surveying entire refugee problem and of preparing detailed blueprints for solution that problem. PCC cld then recommend to GA or to Govts and authorities concerned on basis its technical comites findings ad hoc authority or org, such as regional development board, which would carry out plans technical comite. Such an authority or org might be able facilitate financial assistance from appropriate lending agencies.
We believe Art 12 GA Res Dec 11 provides PCC with full auth appt technical comite any time.
We do not feel necessary have formal assurance from other members PCC that plan proposed by technical comite will have to be implemented along lines approved by US, although this is in fact a necessary consideration. It seems to us that by choice leading personnel and gen position US in internatl community this objective can be achieved without undue stress in spelling it out. Also we do not feel it essential to have assurances of requests for assistance from Arab Stated before [Page 871] technical comite is set up. To make such requests prerequisite to estab comite might imply moral obligation on PCC affirmatively to meet these requests. All that seems necessary is assurance by Arab Govts that they will give full cooperation to efforts of PCC and its technical comite in devising long-range solution problem.
Foregoing views preliminary and, as you suggest, final decision will await McGhee’s return and further consultation with Ethridge.
- Mr. McClintock, in a telegram of March 24, informed Ambassador Griffis at Paris that “President today signed refugee relief bill. We hope RFC loan will be available within a week.” (No. 935, 501.MA Palestine/3–2449)↩