PALESTINE SCHEMES OPPOSED BY. ARABS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 August 1946, Page 7

PALESTINE SCHEMES OPPOSED BY. ARABS

No Change in Attitude

Iraq Expresses Strong Disapproval

(Rec. 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, August 8

The Ministers of seven Arab States will meet in Alexandria on August 12 to discuss the situation in Palestine, says the Associated Press Baghdad correspondent. An extraordinary meeting of the Arab League might be called later. Official quarters in Iraq express strong disapproval of the Palestine partition plan and declare that the proposed federation is “even worse.” In Jerusalem to-day, Jamal Husseini, vice-chairman of the Arab Higher Executive, had an interview with General Sir Alan Cunningham, after which General Cunningham said that Husseini had told him that the Arab executive could not participate in any conference based on partition or a scheme for federation. He also raised the question of illegal immigration and urged the release of Arab political prisoners.

The Director of the Arab Office, Ahmed Shukairy, in a statement rejecting the Palestine federal plan, said that discussions were proceeding on a high level for sending a delegation to the Soviet Union from the Communist Party of Palestine, for which Lebanon had given support. He added: “I think the Russians are better equipped to teach the world how racial and religious discrimination can be eradicated.”

Reuter’s Jerusalem correspondent reports that R.A.F. Lancaster and Halifax bombers are patrolling the Mediterranean for 200 miles from Palestine, searching for ships bringing in illegal immigrants. The bombers have been reinforced by Spitfires, which have been flying inshore patrols. It is reliably learnt that 1400 immigrants aboard five ships in Haifa harbour are to bo allowed ashore when the Athlit camp is enlarged to accommodate them. BRITAIN NOT TO SURRENDER RESPONSIBILITIES LONDON, August 8. “The British Cabinet yesterday decided (1) that in no circumstances will the British Government surrender its mandatory responsibilities for Palestine, and (2) that even if American assistance is not forthcoming the greatest possible effort will be made to implement as much as possible of the British and American experts’ recommendations,” says the political correspondent of the Daily Herald.

The correspondent adds: “It is recognised that no suggestable solution will secure full Jewish and Arab approval and that the responsibility rests on Britain, as mandatory Power, for making an effort to break the existing deadlock.” Camps on Cyprus.

“Although there is no confirmation in official circles in London of a New York report that Britain will

not allow further illegal immigration into Palestine, it is known that camps are being built on Cyprus,” says the Press diplomatic correspondent.

“It is understood that in future the ships packed with illegal immigrants, which are arriving from Italian and other ports, will be stopped before reaching Palestine and escorted to Cyprus, where the passengers will be housed in camps. They will, later be sent to Palestine in batches as part of the legal, con-

trolled immigration qßota.” Reuter’s correspondent at Nicosia (Cyprus) says that official quarters have reported that a number of Jews are expected in a reception camp which British troops are erecting near Famagusta. Truman Marks Time. Mr. John Snyder, an American member of the committee of experts which met to discuss Palestine, said in Washington that President. Truman had not yet expressed an opinion one way or the other on the plan drawn up by the committee. The Press Association comments that a Cabinet meeting so early in the recess is unusual. Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, attended. A Jewish Agency report says that more British troops have been moved into Haifa. GRAND MUFTI RESUMES DIRECTION LONDON, August 8. The Grand Mufti has resumed the political direction of Palestine Arabs from Alexandria, says the Daily Telegraph’s Jerusalem correspondent. If a Palestine Arab delegation should go to London for discussions, the Mufti would be the actual head of it, though he would not accompany it.