Memorandum from Robert Lovett to President Harry S. Truman

ADDRESS OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON 25, D. C. DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON DECLASSIFIED E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) Dept. of State letter, 7-65-75 ug. 9, 1973 By NLT- He , NARS Date £.26.75 BOR SECRED MEMORANDUM FOR THE IR ESIDENT Subject: U. S. Policy on the Shipment of Arms and Military Equipment to the Near East The Department of State finds it necessary to instruct Ambassador Austin promptly with regard to the policy of the United States on the shipment of arms and military equipment to the Near East. From the point of view of the foreign policy of the United States, the basic factors in the situation are: (a) The increasing violence in Palestine and our determination to do everything we can as a Member of the United Nations to bring about a cease-fire in that country; (b) Our policy in accord with the Security Council resolution of April 17, 1948, to take all possible steps to assist in securing a cease-fire and a cessa- tion of hostilities in Palestine. Article 3 of that resolution calls upon all governments to take such steps "and particularly those referring to the entry into Palestine of armed bands and fighting personnel, groups and individuals and weapons and war materials". (under- lining added) (c) The increasingly serious strain being placed on the relations between the United States and the United Kingdom by the position of the United Kingdom with respect both to their assistance to the Arabs and to United States efforts to obtain prompt action by the Security Council. It is recommended that the President authorize the Department of State to instruct Ambassador Austin on the basis of the follow- ing statement of United States policy: (a) The United States continues to urge that the Security Council act immediately to bring about a cease-fire in Palestine. BOB SECRET