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NOTE OF THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE USSR VMMOLOTOV TO THE GENERAL SECRETARY. CC VKP (b), CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE USSR I.V. STALIN

October 20, 1948

Secret

In the First Committee of the General Assembly, discussion begins on Bernadotte's proposals on Palestine, which boil down to the following:

1. Bernadotte proposes replacing the existing temporary truce between the parties with an official peace or such a truce, which is accompanied by the complete withdrawal and demobilization of the armed forces or the creation of a demilitarized zone between them under UN supervision.

I consider Bernadotte's proposal unacceptable since it bypasses the issue of the withdrawal of foreign troops (Transjordan and Egypt) and proposes the demobilization of troops on the territory of the Jewish and Arab parts of Palestine.

Vyshinsky proposes to oppose this proposal of Bernadotte with our proposal, stipulated by the directives, for the immediate withdrawal from the territories of the Jewish and Arab states in Palestine of all foreign troops and foreign military personnel.

I propose to agree with Vyshinsky and give him additional instructions - to support the proposal to establish an official peace between the Arab and Jewish states, the creation of which is envisaged by the decision of the General Assembly on November 29.

2. Bernadotte proposes the transfer of Nerev to the Arabs, and the Western Galilee to the Jews and the transfer of the fate of the Arab part of Palestine to the Arab states. At the same time, the arguments in favor of the merger of the Arab part of Palestine with Transjordan must be taken into account.

Vyshinsky considers it necessary to object to these proposals, since they revise the decision of the General Assembly of November 29, 1947, giving away four-fifths of the entire territory of Israel (Nerev) Transjordan, i.e. under the control of England, and insist on the implementation of the decision of the General Assembly.

I propose to agree with Vyshinsky.

3. Bernadotte proposes that the UN give assurances that the boundaries between the Arab and Jewish territories will be respected and changed only with the consent of the parties concerned.

Vyshinsky believes that one cannot object to this proposal of Bernadotte, but only if the boundaries established by the General Assembly resolution of November 29, 1947 will not be changed.

I propose to agree with Vyshinsky.

4. Bernadotte proposes to declare the port of Haifa, including refineries and oil pipeline terminations, a free port and Lydda airport a free airport, with unhindered access to both ports of the Arab countries concerned.

Vyshinsky reports that the Jews are inclined to agree on the issue of Haifa with the interested Arab states on the basis of reciprocity.

I propose to instruct Vyshinsky that if Jews and Arabs agree to agree on mutual concessions to Haifa and Lidda, one should not object to this.

5. Bernadotte proposes that the city of Jerusalem, within the boundaries defined by the General Assembly resolution of November 29, 1947 with unhindered access to the city by land, air and railways.

Vyshinsky proposes to include the part of the New City of Jerusalem inhabited by Jews into the Jewish state, and the part inhabited by Arabs into the Arab state and agree with the proposal of the Jews to limit the establishment of an international regime under the leadership of the UN only over the territory of the Old City. Unlike Vyshinsky's proposal, I propose to give him the following instructions: to insist on the implementation of the General Assembly resolution of November 29, 1947, i.e. to establish a regime over Jerusalem in which administrative power is exercised by the Trusteeship Council. Under this condition, one can agree to Bernadotte's proposal to provide local autonomy for the Jewish and Arab parts of the population of Jerusalem.

If in the process of discussing this issue a solution is outlined that is acceptable to both Jews and Arabs, we consider it possible to discuss such a proposal in the future.

6. Bernadotte proposes to grant Arab refugees the right to return to the territory of the Jewish state and compensation for the lost property.

Vyshinsky proposes to provide the Jews with the opportunity to agree on this issue with the Arabs during peace negotiations.

I propose to agree with Vyshinsky.

7. Bernadotte proposes to establish a Palestinian Conciliation Commission, responsible to the UN and acting on the instructions of the latter.

Vyshinsky proposes not to object to the creation of such a commission, provided that it has purely advisory and consultative functions.

I propose to agree with Vyshinsky on the condition that at least one of our friendly Eastern European states joins the conciliation commission. If the United States and Britain are to be included in the commission, it is necessary to seek the inclusion of the USSR in the commission as well.

8. In addition, Vyshinsky reports that the Jews intend to come up with a proposal to provide them with a "corridor" to connect Jerusalem with the main coastal part of the Jewish state.

Vyshinsky proposes not to object to this proposal of the Jews if other delegations speak in its favor and there are chances of its adoption.

I propose to agree with Vyshinsky.

I ask you to approve the above proposals.

V. Molotov

On the paper document: “Comrade Stalin agrees. V.M [olotov].20.X. "

AVP RF, f. 06, op. 10, p. 15, d. 161, l. 1-4.