501.BB Palestine/7–648: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
top secret
us urgent
us urgent
London, July 6,
1948—4 p. m.
2989. Bevin has been so preoccupied by Germany that most effective channel for dealing with Department’s 2552, July 3 and 2557, July 41 has been through Wright who got to Bevin last night with following results:
- 1.
- HMG believes it would be most helpful for USG to urge upon Arab and Jewish Governments paramount necessity of extending [Page 1193] cease fire and truce and acceding to Bernadotte suggestion for demilitarization of Jerusalem, (para three Department’s 2552), HMG agrees that it should make similar approach re truce and this was done today in FonOff telegram sent Arab capitals. This telegram does not mention demilitarization because FonOff has no official info as to what Bernadotte has in mind. Wright pointed out that FonOff could send another telegram re demilitarization as soon as it knew more about it. He hoped Department would supply info this subject. Wright said HMG for obvious reasons would not approach PGI.
- 2.
- Telegram containing reply to Abdullah’s request for advice (Department’s 2557) was cleared by Bevin last night and despatched to Amman today with repeats to Arab capitals. Since Mediator’s proposals are now available, HMG enumerated to Abdullah as arguments for Arabs continuing negotiations and truce those features of proposals more favorable to Arabs’ cause than November 29 resolution. In another telegram sent to Arab capitals HMG has embodied its preliminary comments re Mediator’s proposals with particular reference to features proposals which might further in Arab eyes our common aim of maintaining truce.
- 3.
- Re SC action (final sentence, Department’s 2557), Wright said that Cadogan has been advised that HMG believes it preferable for SO action, if it should be necessary, to be based upon recommendation from Mediator since this might lessen controversy. However, Cadogan has been given discretion to raise in SC as British proposal question truce extension.
- 4.
- I hope to telegraph later today summaries British telegrams mentioned above.
Douglas