501.BB Palestine/7–748: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt
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933. Please make representations strongest possible terms to FonOff at earliest opportunity regarding great importance US attaches to prolongation Palestine truce proposed by Bernadotte. As friend of both Arabs and Jews, as member UN Truce Commission and as nation prepared to support in every practicable way settlement of international disputes by peaceful means, US urges upon governments concerned overriding necessity for further period of truce and negotiation as only avenue to lasting settlement and to protection of vital interests of governments and peoples involved. Resumption of fighting under present circumstances could lead to no tangible benefit to either side and would create bitterness and resentment against the parties which would greatly outweigh the speculative benefits of armed action. Security Council meets Wednesday morning on Palestine and may call upon parties for truce extension.1
- This telegram was repeated for action to Baghdad, Jidda, Damascus, Beirut, Jerusalem, and Haifa and for information to London. The Department, on July 7, directed Jerusalem to inform the Provisional Government of Israel that “Stabler authorized bring contents reftel attention Govt Transjordan”. (Telegram 704, 501.BB Palestine/7–748).↩