Ely Eliot Palmer (November 29, 1887 – August 12, 1977) was an American diplomat who served as the first United States Ambassador to Afghanistan in 1948.
[4]: 117 After President Harry S. Truman approved his appointment in November,[8] Palmer began to work within the week.
[4]: 118 Amidst a diplomatic impasse, he had to convince French diplomat Claude Bréart de Boisanger in matters regarding remuneration for Palestinian refugees, a position rejected by Dean Acheson; ultimately, even the study of possible compensation was tabled in fanciful hopes of more negotiation.
[4]: 118-120 However, Palmer considered the question of compensation to be the most pressing matter,[4]: 123 and many of his actions as chairman would attempt to resolve this issue.
Nonetheless, it became clear to both the Israelis and the Arab League, (as James Grover McDonald noted), that the Commission was rather ineffective, and disliked by both sides.
[4]: 121 Despite the warnings of John Blandford Jr., a conference in Paris was organized in an attempt to facilitate peace negotiations and to investigate the possibility of compensation.