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

501.BB Palestine/10–1148: Telegram

The Presidents Special Counsel (Clifford) to the Acting Secretary of State (Lovett)

top secret

Aboard Presidential Special Train
October 11, 1948—11:30 p. m.

Black 93. I have your White 174.¹ Have discussed the matter with the President and he directs me to inform you that your existing instructions are cancelled.² If you are asked questions on Wednesday³ you are to make no comment.

We note with great interest the plan of the Secretary to discuss alternative language on arrival in Paris. We feel it would be most helpful if he would include Ben Cohen⁴ in such discussion because of the latter’s familiarity with our problems here.⁵

Will appreciate your forwarding to us as soon as possible any new language. If you prefer we can always be reached by telephone.

Best regards,

[

Clark Clifford

]

1. Supra.
2. The expression “existing instructions” possibly refers to Presidential authorization for Mr. Lovett to use the statement.
3. October 13, the date of Mr. Lovett’s press conference.
4. Benjamin V. Cohen, Alternative Representative in the United States Delegation at the first part of the Third Session of the General Assembly at Paris.
5. Acting Secretary Lovett quoted this paragraph in part to Secretary Marshall in telegram Telmar 63, October 12, 1 p. m., to Paris (501.BB Palestine/10–1248).