U.S. Government Prepared to Assume Its Responsibilities Toward Palestine Problem

A forthright statement that the United States Government is prepared to assume its responsibilities toward Palestine was made here today by members of the American delegation following the close of the special session of the U.N. General Assembly.

“We recognize that we have responsibilities in Palestine,” a spokesman for the delegation said. He emphasized that the U.S. Government will be ready to present its views on the Palestine issue to the U.N. inquiry commission, if invited to do so, but added that it cannot be revealed as yet whether the U.S. recommendation on the ultimate solution of the Palestine problem will be made at that time or at the Assembly in September.

Senator Austin, commenting on the Soviet attitude toward the Palestine problem, termed it “conciliatory.” Members of the British delegation said that they are “pleased” with the outcome of the present session, while the Arabs refused to comment.

Emphasizing that the Jews will definitely cooperate with the inquiry commission, a leading member of the Jewish Agency delegation said that the present session brought the Jews “a few pleasant surprises,” outstanding among which was the final attitude of the Soviet delegation. Everything now depends on the attitude with which the inquiry is conducted, he added.

The Agency issued a statement expressing the hope that the U.N. will “restore the rights of the Jewish people and enable them to bring their historic undertaking in Palestine to a speedy and successful consummation.” It pointed out that the U.N. discussions had highlighted the international character of the “twin problems of Palestine and the Jewish people.”

Asserting that the admission of the Agency to the Political Committee was a source of satisfaction to the Jews, it stressed that the inability of the Agency to participate in the General Assembly discussions resulted in “the presentation of a one-sided picture” by the Arab states and reminded the world of the “anomalous position” of the Jews. The Agency also thanked the delegates for their efforts and attention to the problem and expressed “particular appreciation” to Assembly President Oswaldo Aranha and Political Committee chairman Lester Pearson, as well as Secretary-General Trygve Lie and his staff.