784A.02/2–2753: Circular telegram
No. 576
The Secretary of
State to Certain Diplomatic and
Consular Offices1
confidential
Washington, February 27, 1953—6:20
p.m.
905. RefDeptel 7 July 3, 1952 Tel Aviv, 23 Cairo, 6 Jidda, 20 Baghdad, 8 Amman, 35 Beirut, 10 Damascus, 2 Jerusalem, 9 USUN also sent air London Paris Ankara Rome.
- 1.
- Tel Aviv telegram 1361 Feb 252 confirms intention IG to complete transfer FonMin to Jerusalem by May or June.
- 2.
- Dept believes IG FonMin should not be moved to Jerusalem until future status of Jerusalem has been more clearly determined (a) by UN or (b) by agreement with neighboring states as, for example, in a peace settlement, or (c) until some major development occurs which would change the status of Jerusalem and justify a change in USG policy. For planning purposes Dept anticipates a status quo of possibly two years but has in mind possibilities under (c) of this paragraph.
- 3.
- Dept’s reasoning is that time must be allowed for further improvement in climate leading to peace and in meantime Israel, which has most to gain, should not pursue a course which would make it more difficult for us to be helpful in settlement of NE problems. Further, to move FonMin now would invite attack on Israel in current session of GA.
- 4.
- Representatives of UK, France, Italy, Belgium and Australia have informed Dept their governments oppose transfer and will keep missions in Tel Aviv. These governments have requested USG join in démarche to IG with view IG leaving FonMin Tel Aviv.
- 5.
- Ambassador Tel Aviv should coordinate with other Mission Chiefs named in paragraph 4 and, at earliest possible, request IG not to transfer its FonMin to Jerusalem and state that USG does not intend to move its mission from Tel Aviv. Dept hopes démarche can be made not later than March 4.
- 6.
- You should also inform IG that Dept does not plan to publicize representations unless press first informed by another source.
- 7.
- It is understood that UK and possibly other governments intend to address a note to IG on this subject. Your representations should be oral because of number of times USG has made representations to IG in recent weeks.
- 8.
- In addition to countries named in paragraph four, this message is being addressed to US missions in certain other countries having missions in Tel Aviv (Ankara, Stockholm, Bern, Rio de Janeiro). Addressee missions named this paragraph should inform governments to which accredited of USG intention to make representations to IG.
Dulles