Office of the Historian

501.BB Palestine/7–2049: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Delegation at Lausanne

confidential
Washington, July 27, 1949—7 p. m.

Unpal 211. [For Porter.] Dept notes with interest urtel Palun 246, July 20, Hirsch advised Rockwell Israeli Govt not desirous Palestine question be discussed next GA. In view Shiloah’s expressed greater cooperative attitude to McDonald re refugees (Bern Tel 15, July 18, from Tel Aviv1) Dept believes Israeli motives warrant further exploration.2 Dept believes discussion Palestine question in GA almost inevitable. One, continued need relief refugees makes question almost certain agenda item since UNRPR funds exhausted by October. Only quick decisive solution problem in PCC could lessen chance lengthy careful GA consideration. Two, Dept believes GA entitled consider results its Dec 11 res. Three, implementation any solution refugee problem satisfactory Israelis Arabs undoubtedly will require aid other UN Members hence should have GA authorization and assistance. FYI, you shld bear in mind USG plans for refugee resettlement, repatriation, rehabilitation contemplate continuing direct relief by UN through voluntary contributions and coordinated aid from US, UK, France and other sources under UN auspices for economic development refugee settlement areas. Estimate at your briefing July 20 re likelihood getting Congressional appropriation was request shld be made only after GA consideration entire problem.

Acheson
  1. This was a repeat of No. 545 from Tel Aviv, not printed, but see footnote 1, p. 1237.↩
  2. Lausanne reported, on July 29, that “According to Hirsch, main motive for Israeli Government’s desire that general Palestine question not be discussed fall GA is deleterious effect inevitable acrimonious debate would have on discussions Lausanne and on general Israeli-Arab relationships. Hirsch has suggested that if at some later date prior opening GA PCC feels there is hope of progress at Lausanne, PCC should recommend that general Palestine question not be discussed at all or be placed at end of agenda.” (telegram Palun 255, 501.BB Palestine/7–2949)↩