867N.01/7–2246: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
[Received July 22—5:13 p.m.]
6913. From Grady. Brook has just left with Ambassador Harriman and me the following draft of a reply to Arab note of June 19:
“His Majesty’s Government drew attention, in the notes which they communicated to the states members of the Arab League on 20th of May, to their previous undertaking that they would consult all parties concerned before they reached a decision on the recommendations of the Anglo-American Committee of Enquiry regarding the problems of European Jewry and Palestine. In accordance with this undertaking they readily accept the proposal made by the Government of X, in concert with the other Arab Governments, to enter into negotiations on the subject of Palestine.
[Page 650]“His Majesty’s Government have the honour to invite the Government of X to send a delegation to London for this purpose. They will communicate to the Government of X as soon as possible the date which they will propose for the opening of negotiations. This date will, if possible, be so arranged as to enable the conversations to take place before the session of the United Nations General Assembly which, as at present planned, will begin on the 23rd of Sept, 1946. It is the intention of His Majesty’s Government that other interested parties shall be similarly consulted at the same time.”
Foreign Office proposes to send this by Wednesday noon, London time, and would welcome any comments Dept may wish to make prior to that time. Foreign Office feels necessity of not delaying reply further because presence of Dr. Weizmann here seems to have created impression in Arab countries that British Government is beginning negotiations with him on settlement of Palestine question.
I am assuming that Dept does not wish our participation in these negotiations. British Government is willing to have us participate but has feeling that such participation on our part might be out of line with their mandatory responsibilities and lead to demands from other non-mandatory countries to participate also in negotiations. I concur in this view. However, the question of our participation in the negotiations with the Arabs and Jews is not one that requires immediate decision. [Grady.]