Shooting of US Consul-General Jerusalem – Telegram from United States Representative

TELEGRAM DATED 22 MAY 1948 FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED STATES ADDRESSED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL

FOLLOWING FOR YOUR INFORMATION IS THE REPORT JUST RECEIVED FROM THE AMERICAN CONSUL IN JERUSALEM REGARDING THE SHOOTING OF THOMAS C. WASSON US CONSUL GENERAL AND US REPRESENTATIVE ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL TRUCE COMMISSION:

QUOTE WASSON LEFT ON FOOT FROM CONGEN THIS MORNING ABOUT 12 NOON LOCAL TO ATTEND MEETING TRUCE COMMISSION, WHICH WAS HELD AS USUAL AT FRENCH CONGEN.  HE LEFT FRENCH CONGEN, STILL ON FOOT, SHORTLY AFTER 1300 HOURS LOCAL.  AS HE CROSSED WAUCHOPE STREET TO ALLEY ALONG WEST SIDE CONGEN, HE WAS HIT BY SNIPERS BULLET PRESUMED TO HAVE COME FROM DIRECTION JUNCTION JULIAN'S WAY AND WAUCHOPE STREET.  IDENTITY OF SNIPER CAN NOT BE ESTABLISHED.  HE WAS CARRIED BY MEMBERS CONGEN TO FIRST AID ROOM AT CONGEN, WHERE HE WAS IMMEDIATELY ATTENDED BY PUBLIC HEALTH SURGEON.L  ARMORED AMBULANCE CAME WITHIN TEN MINUTES FROM RED SHIELD SOCIETY AND WASSON WAS TAKEN TO HADASSAH ENGLISH MISSION HOSPITAL, WHERE ACTING DIRECTOR HADASSAH HAS ASSURED US EVERY FACILITY, INCLUDING PRIVATE ROOM AND NURSE WILL BE PLACED AT HIS DISPOSAL.

ACCORDING TO DOCTOR'S REPORT, 30 CALIBRE RIFLE BULLET ENTERED RIGHT UPPER ARM, PASSED THROUGH CHEST, AND EXITED AT LEVEL LEFT SECOND COSTAL CARTILAGE.  WOUND IN RIGHT ARM EXCISED AND EXIT WOUND EXCISED, EXPLORED AND CLOSED.  IS NOW OUT OF SHOCK AND RESTING QUIETLY.  CONDITION GOOD, AND BARRING COMPLICATIONS, HAS MORE THAN EVEN CHANCE RECOVER.  UNQUOTE

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