867N.01/5–2448: Telegram
The Minister in Lebanon (Pinkerton) to the Secretary of State
208. Foreign Minister informed me Lebanese Government prepared release US citizens (remytel 193, May 20, 11 a. m.1) interned from Marine Carp provided arrangements made for their direct repatriation [Page 1040] to US.2 He added that they could not be released to proceed to Palestine to join Jewish forces which are making constant commando raids into Lebanon. This information will be conveyed to internees who will be asked whether they are prepared to accept this arrangement and Department will be advised of their decision. Committee of internees is reported to have told American journalist that they wished proceed Palestine to fight alongside their people.3
[Here follows one paragraph dealing with individual internees.]
- Not printed, but see footnote 1, p. 1016.↩
- On May 22 the Lebanese Government had made a negative reply to the Minister’s demand for the release of American citizens who had been aboard the S.S. Marine Carp (telegram 203, 867N.01/5–2248); for text of the Lebanese note, see Department of State Bulletin, June 6, 1948, p. 749.↩
- Beirut informed the Department on May 27 that all the American citizens interned in Lebanon had expressed their willingness to return directly to the united States (telegram 217, 867N.01/5–2748).↩