501.BB Palestine/7–2648: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
3385. According to Wright July 24 Bevin’s mind is still working along same lines Paragraph 1 Embassy 3252 July 171 regarding Palestine. He is gratified by larger staff of observers and feels that it would be desirable for Mediator to remain as close as possible to the two parties and in this connection thinks it would be advantageous move for Mediator to transfer his headquarters from Rhodes to Jerusalem. However, when this idea was advanced to Mediator by British Consulate Rhodes (it had earlier been put forward to Mediator by Sir Hugh Dow on his own initiative) Mediator stated July 20 that he hoped representatives both Jews and Arabs would come to Rhodes shortly. Mediator stated that according to his representative Jerusalem would not be suitable for such meeting until demilitarization [Page 1240] takes place2 and international police force is established. There are no accommodations in Jerusalem and in present circumstances it would not be safe for leaders of either side to go there. Chief observer has reported that in Jerusalem there is “complete disregard of UN representatives.” More recent information, said Wright, indicates that Mediator may now view move to Jerusalem somewhat more favorably than of July 20. Azcarate3 is urging move.
Wright said it was hard to analyze present situation in Middle East and to decide whether relative to Guillion4 in Arab states represents acquiescence accompanied by embitterment against West and UN or whether it is lull before storm while extremists lay their plan.
- Not printed; this paragraph stated that “Bevin spent hour this morning discussing Palestine with his top advisors. Wright has reported to me that Bevin is encouraged by news that cease-fire has already begun Jerusalem and believes utmost use should be made of this development. Bevin through Wright expressed hope US Government and other Truce Commission powers will give highest priority to supplying Bernadotte with his requirements in men and equipment so that start can be made at once in setting up new regime in Jerusalem. If Jerusalem is demilitarized and set up as working entity Bevin believes it may set example for similar developments elsewhere. Bevin thinks also that it would have beneficial effect if Bernadotte would transfer his headquarters from Rhodes to Jerusalem.” (501.BB Palestine/7–1748)↩
- Count Bernadotte’s draft proposal for the demilitarization of Jerusalem was transmitted by the Consulate General at Jerusalem in telegram 1122, July 26, 11 a. m., not printed (501.BB Palestine/7–2648).↩
- Pablo de Azcarate, Deputy Chief of the Secretariat of the Truce Commission in Palestine.↩
- The words “to Guillion” are rendered as “tranquillity” in the London Embassy copy of telegram 3385.↩