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FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1949, VOLUME VI


501.BB Palestine/7-2849: Telegram
           Mir. Paul A. Porter to the Secretary of State

SECRET                            LAUSANNE, July 28, 1949-2 p. i.
  Palun 253. Shiloah arrived today July 27 and in private conversa-
tion stated following position of Israeli Government which lhe said
adopted because US pressure.
  1. Israel now prepared discuss refugees outside context of final
Palestine settlement.
  2. In discussions of refugee question Israel prepared if PCC so
desires, officially commit self to accept specific number- refugees for
repatriation. Shiloah showed no inclination to mention number and
I did not press him in this first meeting.
  3. Actual repatriation of above number of refugees could not begin
until:"
      a. Overall plan for repatriation and resettlement drawn up and
    means to put in operation assured. Israel could not be expected
    accept refugees under US pressure only- to find that remainder
    continue in relief camps and are not resettled.
       b. There must be evidence, convincing to all parties, that real
    progress being made toward final settlement. Israel did not insist
    upon formal peace treaties but could not be expected to admit
    large number of refugees if Arab states had no intention of mak-
    ing sincere efforts to reach peaceful settlement.
  Shiloah emphasized necessity for international refugee repatriation
and resettlement plan and urged that US hasten formulation such
plan.
  When question territory mentioned Shiloah said PCC would have
"bitter wrangle" with Israeli delegation over any plan involving
re-
duction Israeli occupied territory. Strongly outlined familiar position
re necessity Israeli retention Negev. Maintained that "alleged"
psycho-
logical desire of Arabs for continuous land connections between Arab
states merely hastily erected screen to cover 19th Century ideas of
military strategy. Said Israeli Government "might" consider sug-
gestions for territorial "adjustments" which did not involve loss
of
Negev.
  I am not encouraged by this position but-shall of course attempt
to make most of it and plan press for continuous sessions PCC with
Arabs and Israelis in attempt discover soonest whether possibility of
agreement exists.
                                                            PORTER