Telegram from William C. Burdett, Jr. to Secretary of State Dean Acheson

INCOMING TELEGRAM DEPARTMENT OF STATE-DIVISION OF COMMUNICATIONS AND RECORDS TELEGRAPH BRANCH Action: UNA Control 7106 Info: SS Rec'd April 20, 1949 E 8:04 8.m. C G H FROM : Jerusalem E UR DECLASSIFIED NEA TO : Secretary of State E. O. 11652, Sec. ³(E) and 5(D) or (E) L Dept. of State letter, 47633 UNAR NO : 312, April 20, 10 a.m. By NLT. USUN UCC NARS Date 8.26.75 OLI PALUN 133. CIA AAN FROM ETHRIDGE DCR On April 18 I visited Ben-Gurion at $iberias at his request. 5/5-R Pricr to my departure from Jerubalem, Comay informed me Ben-Gurion would discuss such pending questions as issuance of conciliatory statement re refugees by Israel Oovern- ment and Israeli views re some form of Internationalization of Jerusalem. Ben-Gurion mentioned neither question and apparently had no intention of doing 80. Instead Ben-Gurion analyzed at Britain's mistaken imperalistic policy in Middle East 1n past and present and stressed economic and humanitarian role which position of US in world affairs ought to require US to play in this area. Ben-Ourion said that British were still attempting to operate in Middle East under policies in vogue toward end of 19th century; that Britain was attempting to rule through little kings like Abdullah; that US should declare its second independence of British Foreign Office; and that US must develop Middle East economically and raise living standard throughout area. Jerusalem: Ben-Gurion did not seem to wish to discuss international.ization of Jerusalem as set forth in paragraph 8 General Assembly Resolution December 11 but confined himself to observation that Jerusalem could not be capital of Israel for several years. Jerusalem was too near "edge of Israel. If, however, Israel's eastern boundary were Jordan, Jerusalem could become capital immediately Meanwhile, Tel Aviv was not suitable capital, apparently for security reasons but Haifa would be and might be. Israel planned to make Jerusalem center for watichnaking diamond-eutting and other light industries. Return of tourists and pilgrims would be important to its economic existence, demilitarixation of Jerusalem could not be fore- - seen under existing circumetances Refugees: Be-Gurion FRUMAN 9 as ARCHIVES AND SERVICE* I INFORMATION COPY a a