501.BB Palestine/7–1949: Telegram
The Ambassador in Israel (McDonald) to the Secretary of State
549. Re Depcirtel July 16 received July 18. Department will have noted in Embtel July 18, 5451 niact, that following my repeated representations to Foreign Office Israeli Government through Shiloah [Page 1238] July 15 and Eytan July 16 declared that Israel delegation was returning Lausanne instructed along lines similar Department’s suggestions. July 18 after dinner for Justice Douglas at residence, Ben-Gurion by implication confirmed Israeli plans for more conciliatory and broader approach at Lausanne. Despite this prior substantial Israeli assent views Depcirtel July 16 were formally urged upon Foreign Office by Ford in conference with Herlitz July 19 who is reporting immediately to Sharett.
Sent Department 549, repeated Baghdad 15, Beirut 27, Damascus 24, Amman 21, Cairo 18, Jidda 1, Lausanne.
- Not printed; it reported that Ambassador
McDonald conversed with Mr. Shiloah on the evening of July 15.
The latter made known that he would replace Mr. Eytan as head of
the Israeli Delegation at Lausanne, that he would be “taking
with him more ‘elastic program’” and that he hoped “for progress
before UNGA if PCC will bring two groups
together.” The Ambassador commented to the Department that “What
Shiloah said and way he said it encourages me to hope, that
Israel’s policy especially on refugees is developing favorably.”
The following day, the Ambassador saw Mr. Eytan, who emphasized that Israel “intends to be ‘more forthcoming’ at Lausanne and hopes that ‘Arabs and US delegates will also be more conciliatory’.” Mr. Eytan was said to have said that it was “essential” that the “UN have success” in the negotiations. (501.BB Palestine/7–1849)
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