501.BB Palestine/10–1348: Telegram
The Ambassador in Egypt (Griffis) to the Acting Secretary of State
1485. Evidence here indicates Egyptian opposition to Bernadotte Plan has greatly increased due to widely held belief that British support for plan is based principally on desire secure merger Arab Palestine and Transjordan as step in enlarging their sphere of influence and toward creation Greater Syria. Such opinion stimulated by (1) British emphasis on Bernadotte’s recommendation for merging two areas rather than on his statement that disposition Arab Palestine should be left to government of Arab States; (2) recent pressure on Arab States (mytels 1439, October 3, 1442, October 4, 1445, October 51) against recognition Arab Government Palestine interpreted by most Arab leaders as rising less from reasons advanced than from British desire promote Transjordan and their interests.
Problem together with suggestion that British statement might be issued emphasizing Bernadotte’s view concerning disposition Arab Palestine should be left to Arab States has been reviewed with British Chargé Chapman-Andrews. British Chargé inclined believe (1) destruction of AGP of overriding importance and; (2) that British emphasis on Bernadotte proposal re disposition of Arab Palestine by Arab States would encourage Arab Government’s support AGP with adverse effects. He also maintained enlarged Transjordan would enhance British ability maintain security of ME.
Would appreciate comments of Department on validity of British [Page 1472] argument that greatly enlarged Transjordan necessary to security of ME. Unless overriding reasons of security exist it would appear that continued British insistence on enlarged Transjordan and Arab Palestine will work against Arab acquiescence Bernadotte Plan. Insistence seems particularly unnecessary in view general belief that AGP notwithstanding Egyptian and Iraqi recognition will soon collapse out of weakness and that most Arab Palestine will fall naturally into hands Abdullah.
In this connection would also appreciate Department’s comments on interesting Egyptian Government in acquiring portion of Arab Palestine possible Gaza and part of Negeb as compensation for acquiescence Bernadotte Plan. Bernadotte known to have favored partition Arab Palestine among Syria, Transjordan and Lebanon (Embtel 1105, August 72). This view also responsible for this reference plan to “frontier rectifications regarding other Arab States as may be found practicable and desirable”. Nokrashy to whom Bernadotte mentioned partition vigorously repudiated such suggestion as unethical but it is now possible that both King and Nokrashy might be favorable to acquisition of portion Palestine return for acquiescence Bernadotte Plan.