UNO SESSION ON PALESTINE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25181, 12 May 1947, Page 7

UNO SESSION ON PALESTINE

Work For Inquiry Commission DEBATE ON TERMS OF REFERENCE (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 10. The United States to-day opposed Russia’s proposal that the Palestine commission of inquiry should submit to the General Assembly in September “a proposal on the question of establishing without delay an independent State of Palestine.” Mr Herschel Johnson (United States) in the Political Committee, said that the Assembly must not impose any such mandatory stipulation upon the commission. The Philippines then proposed the creation of an interim government for Palestine, which would “guarantee the rights of everyone in the Holy Land until the issue is solved.”

The committee adjourned after directing its sub-committee to endeavour to submit by May 12 a recommendation for the complete instructions to be given to the commission of inquiry. The Assembly is still in the committee stage after nearly a fortnight of argument It is expected that the full Assembly will not complete its work until late next week. Yesterday, Russia demanded that the commission of inquiry be instructed to study the possibilities of ending Britain’s mandate over Palestine without delay. The Soviet representative (Mr Gromyko) urged this before # the 11nation sub-committee drafting the terms of reference for the commission. The chairman, Mr Lester Pearson (Canada). ruled that Mr Gromyko was out of order, as it was a matter of substance, but could be brought before the 55-nation Political Committee. Mr Gromyko indicated that he would do so. < • The United Press says that this was the strongest in a series of moves Russia has made during the current special meeting of the Assembly. Mr Gromyko’s proposal called upon the inquiry commission to study the Palestine situation in detail on the spot and “prepare and submit to the next regular session of the General Assembly proposals on a solution of the Palestine problem which the commission will consider useful, including a proposal on the question of establishing without, delay an independent Palestine State.’ Jews and Arabs Seek Assurances Mr Moshe Shertok, for the Jewish Agency took issue with Mr Gromyko, saying that independence should not be considered without also considering the establishment of a national Jewish home, which was the agency’s primary ° b ir Ct Charles Malik (Syria)- asked whether Britain would give assurances that she would abide by the Assembly’s ultimate recommendations. Sir Alexander Cadogan replied: ‘lf the United Nations can find a solution, we shall be happy. We should not have sole responsibility for enforcing a decision that is unacceptable to both parties and unacceptable to our own conscience.” The Arab Higher Committee made its first appearance in the discussions and asked the United Nations to make Palestine an independent State. 'Die Higher Committee’s spokesman, Mr Henri Katan, said it was time a policy which had been impairing the ethnological and political structure of Palestine was brought to an end by the world’s highest body. Immigration initiated under the mandate was threatening the very existence of Arab nations, he said. Half a million Jews had migrated to Palestine against the inhabitants’ wishes. The Balfour Declaration was the very reason for the Arabs’ troubles, and Britain had achieved the declaration’s terms at the expense of many lives and much suffering. The sub-committee rejected requests for a hearing by 12 organisations, including the Palestine Communist Party, tne Young Egypt Party, and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, which is headed by Cardinal The sub-committee recommended that the Political Committee hear the Jewish Agency and Arab Higher Committee only.