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United States Department of State / Foreign relations of the United States, 1947. The Near East and Africa
(1947)
Palestine, pp. 999-1328
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Page 1289
prompt settlement of the Palestine matter was of equal importance preliminary thereto.5 [Here follows discussion of subjects other than Palestine.] MARSHALL 5Referring to this paragraph in telegram Telmar 6, November 26, 1 p. m., to London, the Acting Secretary of State informed Secretary Marshall as follows: "For sake of accuracy National Security Council recommendation was made to President not to British. Note use of word 'agreement'. We have taken great pains to make it abundantly clear to all concerned that no agreement is involved. Conversations represented merely exchange of views. Documents emanating from conversations were proposed statements of respective policies subject to con- firmation. It was understood that these statements even after approval could not be considered as agreements; that no obligations were taken; and the policies outlined were subject to change to meet new conditions." (867N.01/11-2547) Editorial Note At the afternoon meeting of the General Assembly on November 28, the French Representative proposed that the Assembly postpone its decision until the following day to permit a last-minute effort to arrive at a solution acceptable to both the Arabs and the Jews. The French proposal was adopted by a vote of 25 to 15. For the official record of the discussion of the proposal, see GA (II) Plenary, pages 1401-1410, passi8m. 867N.01/11-2847: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State TOP SECRET LONDON, November 28, 1947. US URGENT Martel 12. To Lovett from Marshall. Bevin handed to me the fol- lowing summary of the British plan of withdrawal from Palestine. "Military withdrawal-a series of clear-cut backward moves north- wards from the Egyptian frontier phased as follows: Phase one: Gaza civil district by 29 February. Phase two: Jerusalem, Lydda and part of Samaria by 31 May. Phase three: Remainder of Samaria and Galilee by 30 June. Phase four: The remaining enclave round Haifa by 31 July. The evacuation of stores through Haifa and by land to Egypt will start on December 1. It is estimated that, even under the most favour- able conditions, we shall lose nearly 150,000 tons of useful stores. Withdrawal of civil administration-the civil administration and the mandate will be maintained over the whole of Palestine until May 15, 1948, except that in certain circumstances the civil adminis- tration, or some parts of it, may be obliged to withdraw at an (earlier date from the Gaza civil district. If the United Nations vote in favour of partition, the arrival of a United Nationis commission for the purpose of carrying out this de- 1289- PRALESTINE
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