Circular Telegram on Jordanian Plea for Arab
Interpretation of UN Refugee Resolution
(November 20, 1963)
This is a circular telegram from the Department of State to certain
posts reporting on the Jordanian plea for U.S. support of paragraph 11
of the UN
Resolution 194.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Atallah called on Secretary November 19.
Atallah apprehensive that USG wavering on support Paragraph 11, UN Resolution
194 and charged Palestine Conciliation Commission Report compromises
USG position on Palestine
refugees. Reference in Report to "talks
without preconditions" with respect to refugees "kills"
Paragraph 11.
Atallah made emotional plea for clear reaffirmation Paragraph 11 by
USG. He contended Israel lacked sovereignty over former Arab lands in
Israel, particularly in areas not allotted to Israel under UN
partition plan of 1947. He urged that USG call on Israel to stop "expropriation"
Arab lands as otherwise refugees would have no place to which return.
Arabs were not asking for property custodian but something much less.
Secretary stated he personally familiar with genesis refugee problem.
He regretted USG must disagree with Arabs on some things. With respect
Paragraph 11 Secretary thought USG position could be clarified satisfactorily.
US would prefer no UN resolution on refugees but apparently will be
impossible to avoid one. USG would give thought to Foreign Minister's
views.
Johnson
Sources: Foreign
Relations of the United States, 1961-1963: Near East, 1962-1963,
V. XVIII. DC: GPO,
2000. |