U.S. Submits Resolution To Security Council

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25547, 15 July 1948, Page 5

U.S. Submits Resolution To Security Council

BRITAIN ANNOUNCES SUPPORT (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, July 14. In the Security Council late yesterday Britain declared her formal support of an American resolution ordering a halt to the Palestine fighting and authorising force if the order is not obeyed. . Introducing the American resolution, Dr. Philip Jessup said: “The Security Council must face its responsibility. Fighting is going on in Palestine. It must stop. The Council should call attention to the consequences of failure to halt the fighting. Such a warning would clearly have a particular meaning for that party which so far has rejected all appeals.” Dr. Jessup placed full blame for the fighting on the Arabs. The Israeli spokesman (Mr Aubrey Eban) protested against the wording of the resolution, which would revive the conditions of the four-week truce which ended on July 9 when the Arabs refused to prolong it. Mr Eban said that the Council had no right to place limitations on the entry of Jewish immigrants of military age. He urged the Council to. brand the Arabs aggressors immediately because of their decision to resume fighting, and said that punitive action should be taken immediately.

Announcing Britain’s support of the American resolution, Sir Alexander Cadogan said that no progress could be made in solving the Palestine problem while hostilities continued. Therefore Britain accepted in general the United States draft proposal, though a few changes in wording would be recommended. Replying to Mr Faris el Khoury (Syria), who said that the resolution practically placed the stigma of aggression on the Arab States, Sir Alexander Cadogan said that he did not share this view, and the resolution did not even mention aggression. However, it could not be denied that the Arabs had not agreed to an extension of the truce. Sir Alexander Cadogan suggested that the United Nations mediator (Count Bernadotte) be asked for an assurance that a continuation of the truce would not be disadvantageous to either side. The Council adjourned until to-day.