21

cultural values to keep order in Jerusalem. Is it to be the privilege of this century and this organization to be silent spectators of a break with this ancient tradition ? " In proposing that a small special Committee be formed to study this problem separately, Mr. Hagglof pointed out that in his view the question of maintaining order in Jerusalem and protecting the holy places could be solved without prejudice to the eventual conclusion on the future Government of Palestine or even on the future permanent regime for Jerusalem itself. The French delegation gave strong support to Mr. Hagglof's appeal, and subsequently proposed that the General Assembly in view of the urgency of the security problem in the City of Jerusalem, should ask the Trusteeship Council to study, and in consultation with the mandatory Power and the parties concerned, to take suitable measures for the protection of Jerusalem and its inhabitants. The Committee, without objection, agreed to interrupt the general debate to give priority to the French proposal (Document A/C/l/280). The United States representative (Dr. Jessup) said that the United States would waive priority for their trusteeship proposal covering the whole of Palestine since there was no incompatibility between the two proposals, whilst the Australian representative also waived priority for his draft resolution reaffirming partition. In discussing the draft resolution which he had submitted, M. Parodi (France) stated that it would be a simpler procedure for the Trusteeship Council to pursue the studies it had been undertaking during the past months than to constitute a special sub-committee of the First Committee. The Council had already prepared a draft statute which contained a clause authorizing the Governor to organize and direct a special police corps in order to maintain public order and protect the holy places. This scheme might be elaborated or modified. Finally, he stressed that the French resolution did not in any way prejudice the final decision as to the future of Palestine. If the Assembly decided to reaffirm the partition plan, the police force would be part of the regime provided for Jerusalem under the resolution of 29th November, 1947 ; if the Assembly were to accept the United States trusteeship proposal for the whole of Palestine the International Police Force could be incorporated just as easily ; even if any other regime were to be established some provision would have to be made for Jerusalem and the holy places. While there was general agreement in the Committee that it was highly desirable that the question of the protection of Jerusalem should be given detailed study there was considerable divergency of opinion as to the most appropriate means, and, indeed, as to the correct procedure, whereby any proposed measures should be considered. With regard to the latter point, several speakers, after pointing out that the Trusteeship Council had come to consider the future of Jerusalem only because it