501.BB Palestine/8–2148: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting United States Representative at the United Nations (Jessup)
553. The following is text of letter to UN SYG copy of which will be forwarded to you by pouch with regard to latter’s request for 125 additional military observers from US to assist Count Bernadotte:
“With reference to your request of August 10, 1948 for my assistance in providing to the United Nations Mediator for Palestine 125 additional military observers who should be non-commissioned officers and enlisted men, I am pleased to inform you that the Secretary of National Defense, Mr. Forrestal, has indicated1 the readiness of his establishment to comply with your request, subject to the considerations set forth below.
Mr. Forrestal, prior to taking this action, requested the comments and recommendations of the Senior United States Observer in Palestine. This observer, Brigadier General William Riley, USMC, after careful study and extensive discussions with the Chief of Staff and personal representative of the UN Mediator, concluded that the present number of United States, French and Belgian observers is sufficient in view of the critical shortage of transportation and communications equipment and the inadequate number of Jewish-Arab liaison officers. He believes, and states that Count Bernadotte’s personal representative concurs, that what is needed is additional transportation and communications specialists and equipment, rather than more observers, and specifies the number and quantities required.
Mr. Forrestal states that he attaches great importance to assisting the UN Mediator in every practicable way but also considers that the recommendations of the United States and United Nations commanders in the field are entitled to great weight in determining United States further participation in observing the Palestine Truce.
Based on these reports from the field and in accordance with the above considerations, the Secretary of National Defense has instructed the Secretary of the Navy to arrange to provide the following additional personnel:
| 6 enlisted clerk-typists | ||
| 3 officers | } | communications specialists |
| 11 enlisted men | ||
| 3 officers | } | field motor maintenance specialists |
| 12 enlisted men |
The Secretary for National Defense has also asked the Secretary of the Navy to make available, at the request of the UN Mediator, and in accordance with specific requirements therefor as determined by the Senior United States Military Observer in consultation with the Mediator or his representative, not to exceed 100 additional enlisted personnel, together with any necessary support, equipment and officer supervision. Such personnel will be provided, however, only to the extent that they are not used for purposes other than observation and supervision of the truce. In no event should they be assigned to guard, protective or enforcement duties, or be employed to provide personal services. In addition, the Secretary of the Navy has been instructed to provide such added transportation and communications equipment as may be specified by the Senior United States Observer as necessary.
The foregoing additional assistance to Count Bernadotte is gladly offered by the United States Government in earnest hope that the United Nations Mediator, with such assistance, will be able to bring his difficult task in Palestine to a successful conclusion. It is understood that the other governments represented on the Truce Commission will provide similar additional assistance to Count Bernadotte, although the number of observers to be provided by Belgium will be less than those from France and the US.”2
Repeated to Jerusalem as 847, Paris as 3241, Brussels as 1259, London 3331.