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

501.BB Palestine/7–2848: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Acting United States Representative at the United Nations (Jessup)

secret
us urgent

Washington, July 30, 1948—4 p. m.

493. Dept concurs in views expressed urtel 963 July 28 except for para 9 as to which no opinion is expressed at this time.

Dept has following additional comments:

1. Dept underscores your para 1 (a) and (b). We are now hopeful of change in US Displaced Persons Act during special session to eliminate discrimination against Jewish DPs. Two bills already introduced in each House Congress to this effect. Proposed UK action might be seriously prejudicial.

2. Security Council consideration of general refugee–displaced persons problem would give Soviet and Ukrainian delegations excellent opportunity not previously presented Security Council to exploit this subject and should be avoided if at all possible.

3. As to alternatives in your para 8 Dept strongly prefers (b) with understanding that such approach made without prejudice to Mediator’s freedom of action to take such other measures as he deems desirable. Dept also underscores reasons expressed your para 2 (b). Course proposed para 8 (c) also should be pursued. Depts Advisory Committee Vol Foreign Aid already negotiating with appropriate US organizations but viewed realistically it appears that no prospects of large scale relief exist. Alternative (a) would be preferable to Security Council action but should not be undertaken unless alternative (b) proves unfeasible.¹

Marshall

1. This telegram was repeated to London as 3015.