Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

DEPARTMENT OF STATE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON July 29, 1949 IC SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS PALESTINE We have informed Porter of our belief that proposals should be advanced by the Palestine Conciliation Com- mission only on individual problems with the aim of keeping the Arabs and the Israelis continually discussing solutions for those problems, while the PCC maintains negotiating flexibility. We do not at this time favor any formal PCC plan. We have told Porter, however, that while he should avoid fixing responsibility on the US for any specific figures, we believe Israel should absorb about 400,000 refugees, of which about 150,000 are already in Israel, with the balance taken up by Syria and Jordan. Our Consul in Jerusalem states that the decisions on the settlement of the Jerusalem problem must be made by the PCC and the General Assembly, and expresses the fear that failure of the September GA to reach definite Jerusalem decisions would jeopardize any hope of internationalization. Since the positions of Israel and Jordan on a Jerusalem settlement are diametrically opposed, our Consul suggests that: 1) we continue our endeavors to induce Israel to negotiate with Jordan, reaching maximum agreement possible and narrowing the zone within which the PCC must make a decision; and 2) the PCC sub-committee on Jerusalem prepare a plan for submission to the GA without awaiting the results of the Jordan-Israel talks. CHINA Ambassador Stuart reports that the Communists have agreed to accept the Embassy as guarantor for Stuart's party. Stuart plans to leave Nanking August 1. Consulate General Shanghai has recommended that arrange- ments be made with the American President Lines to bring in a ship to evacuate foreign nationals. The Consulate General is convinced that the number wishing to leave Shanghai will more than justify the ship's call. Embassy Office Canton reports that the Chinese Communist threat to the province of Szechuan has led to a review of National government plans to move to Chungking, and cancellation of those plans is possible. DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 R State Dept. Guideline, June 12, 1979 By NLT-WC NARS, Date 11-13-80