PESSIMISM PREVAILS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26749, 19 April 1948, Page 5

PESSIMISM PREVAILS

UNITED NATIONS SESSION ON PALESTINE

PRESIDENT’S GRIM WARNING N.Z.P.A.—Copyright NEW YORK, Apl. 16. In an atmosphere of gloom and pessimism, the General Assembly of the United Nations began its special session on Palestine to-day with a grim warning by its acting president, Senor Carlos Muniz (Brazil) that “ the picture could hardly be more sombre.” Senor Muniz declared that the fading chances of the Jews and Arabs accepting the Security Council’s truce plan had given the Assembly a “ disheartening atmosphere.” He appealed to the peoples of Palestine to end the fighting immediately, as a first step towards helping the Assembly to work out a solution for the Holy Land before Britain’s mandate ended. The huge assembly hall was not half filled as Senor Muniz spoke. Many delegations were thinly represented, and the press gallery, normally packed for opening sessions, was almost empty. The Assembly elected Dr Jose Arce (Argentina) president for the session. Dr T. F. Tsiang (China) was second in the ballot, and Sir Carl Berendsen (New Zealand) third. The election of Dr Arce, who was supported by the Arab and LatinAmerican States, is regarded as a setback for the Big Powers, who are reported to have wanted Dr Tsiang as

president. /Dr Tsiang, however, was appointed chairman of the Political Committee, which will do most of the Assembly’s work on the Palestine issue. Even while the Assembly was appealing. for a cease fire in Palestine, it was disclosed that the Zionist leader. Dr Chaim Weizmann, had last night warned Mr Warren Austin, the chief United States delegate, that the Jews would extend the warfare to a full scale if a separate Jewish State were not established, adding: “No matter what the United States tries to do to block the Jewish State, Jews will fight.’’ .