Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V, Part 2

501.BB Palestine/11–1048: Telegram

The Special Representative of the United States in Israel (McDonald) to the Acting Secretary of State

secret   urgent
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Tel Aviv, November 10, 1948—5 p. m.

247. For personal attention President and Acting Secretary. Although necessarily out of touch with details Paris developments Arab refugees, I am fearful following three separate long conferences yesterday with Mohn, Bundle’s political adviser; Wolfe, legal adviser ICRC; and Descoeudres of UNICEF; that stark mass tragedy will outrun UN Arab refugee efforts.

Diminishing prestige whole Mediator’s organization among both Arabs and Jews lessens more than proportionately usefulness Cilento and his scant refugee organization. Moreover, now indisputably clear—as should have been months ago—that Mediator’s political role weakens his refugee work. Hence, I hope report of possible UN transfer whole refugee task to Red Cross societies is authentic. Continued failure provide adequate organization and resources would gravely injure authority UN and also hurt position US. British statement yesterday House of Commons shows HMG’s concern lest it share odium failure.

I strongly urge that:

1. UN delegation be asked to do utmost speed UN decisions and,

2. A prompt public Presidential appeal be made for essential funds in cooperation with American Red Cross.

I am completely skeptical UN blanket financial appeal to member states whose responses would be slow and inadequate.

Without sensitiveness if again disapproved I repeat earlier suggestion that in role of “refugee expert” I be asked to testify publicly before third committee on urgency governmental and public response comparable to catastrophic need. Such appearance American special representative Israel would help answer Arab criticism that US is disproportionately interested Jews welfare and would not be open to charge of political propaganda.

In view of importance of refugee problem to all countries in Middle East, I also suggest for consideration Department conference on Rhodes (or other neutral ground) of chiefs of mission under chairmanship Griffis to exchange views and analyze what can be done with benefit to whole area.¹

McDonald

1. Acting Secretary Lovett discussed the suggestions in telegram 247 “with Key West” and, on November 12, he directed Mr. McDonald to fly to Paris for consultation with Secretary Marshall (telegram 211 to Tel Aviv). The same day, he requested Ambassador Griffis to fly immediately to Washington, with a brief stop at Paris to discuss the question of Arab refugee relief with the Secretary (telegram 1557 to Cairo). Both telegrams are filed under 501.BB Palestine/11–1048.