501.BB Palestine/10–1648: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt
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1432. Dept is informed from USGADel Paris1 that Hamilton of NY Times has filed story of Troutbeck’s and McClintock’s visit to Bernadotte on Rhodes, to appear in Sunday edition Oct 17.2
We are saying if asked that purpose of visit was to concert joint plans for relief of Arab refugees. Press will be informed for background that McClintock spent brief time in Athens to study supply situation there; consulted with Troutbeck and Bernadotte and finished his rapid survey in consultation with you, in view of fact that Dept is focusing much of its field operations on refugee problem in Embassy Cairo. McClintock later reported to Secretary in Paris. Background [Page 1486] info makes reference to fact that President on Aug 19 approved Dept directive to explore every means of prompt and adequate relief to Arab refugees. Trip of U.K. and U.S. reps to Rhodes in fact underscores this deep and continuing concern.
Please take similar line with press in response to inquiries.
Repeated for appropriate action to Paris as Gadel 228; London as 3984; USUN—608; Beirut 653; Tel Aviv 163; Athens 1486.
- In telegram Delga 354, October 16, 2 p. m., not printed.↩
- Delga 354 related that the purpose of the visit of Messrs. McClintock and Troutbeck to Rhodes, according to Mr. Hamilton’s story, was to participate in the drafting of Count Bernadotte’s report. It also noted that “Bunche prepared to say second draft [of] report, including specific conclusions, completed before McClintock, Troutbeck arrived Monday, 13th September, and report not changed as result their visit.” (501.BB Palestine/10–1648)↩