The United States today proposed that independent Jewish and Arab states be established in Palestine by July 1, 1948.
An American statement, read to a closed session of the partition sub-committee of the Ad Hoc Committee on Palestine by Herschel Johnson, recommended that during the interim period the Mandatory Power be responsible for maintaining order, assisted by a three-man United Nations Commission under a U.N. High Commissioner. This commission would also cooperate with Jewish and Arab loaders in an advisory and guiding capacity.
Elaborating on his statement at a press conference Johnson made it clear that the American proposal is predicated on the acouiescence of Britain which, as the Mandatory Power, has the last word on accepting any decision of the U.N. with regard to Palestine. However, he expressed confidence that Britain, as a good member of the U.N., would assist in implementation of the American partition plan after this plan had been adopted by the Assembly. He also expressed the hope that the Arabs would similarly cooperate.
Speaking after Johnson, British delegate J.M. Martin referred the sub-committee to the previous statements of policy given them by Colonial Minister Arthur Treech-Jones, adding that Britain would have no comment on the U.S. proposals since they has not yet been acted upon by the General Assembly. When the General Assembly comes to some decision, Britain will act as a good member of the U.N., he continued. The tenor of Martin’s statement was extremely vague and it was indicated unofficially in British circles that the statement could not be taken as a definite commitment by Britain to go along with the U.S. recommendation.
STATES WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING ORDER IN OWN TERRITORY
Other points made by Johnson at his press conference were:
1. The Jewish and Arab states would be absolutely sovereign after July 1, and responsible for maintenance of public order. During the interim period the U.N. Commission would also have the responsibility of formulating recommendations for a U.N. trusteeship, or whatever other plan is adopted, regarding Jerusalem and continuous territory.
2. The U.N. Commission would be responsible to the General Assembly. If a situation should arise involving a threat to peace and security, jurisdiction might pass to the Security Council.
3. The U.N. does not guarantee the borders of any of its state members, but in case of an attack on the Jewish state, the U.N. would follow the same procedure as in the event of an attack on any other member state.
4. The Mandatory, the U.N. Commission and leaders of the Jewish and Arab states are to work out together the question of providing arms for each of the states, but primarily for a civil force to maintain law and order, the assumption being that neither state will have sufficient funds to accuire arms for military forces, since they will need large funds to set up governmental machinery and administrative departments.
5. Establishment of a police force for each state and detailed plans for setting up both governments must be started immediately after the Assembly approves partition. The U.N. Commission, together with technical experts, must begin functioning immediately, preparing plans on finances, railroads, economic union, education and other matters.
6. After establishment of the Jewish and Arab states, the U.N. Commission will move to Jerusalem, which will remain under a U.N. trusteeship, and will continue its work there.
SAYS JEWISH STATE CAN BE SET UP EVEN IF ARABS REJECT U.N. DECISION
7. Success of the American proposal is entirely dependent on cooperation of the Arab and Jewish states. If the Arabs refuse to cooperate, however, there is no reason why Jews should not have independence and then, after the British withdraw, the U.N. would maintain a trusteeship over the proposed Arab state until it fulfilled requirements for its independence.
8. The U.N. Commission would report to the General Assembly or to the Secretary-General when the Assembly was not in session. If urgent action is necessary, the Commission can report to the Security Council.
9. If Britain opposes partition along the lines of the American plan, then the U.N. will have to try something else. However, Johnson reiterated the hope that Britain as a good member of the U.N. will agree to assist in the implementation of a U.N. decision. The U.S. is confident that Britain does not want to leave Palestine in chaos, he said.
10. The partition sub-committee has not yet discussed the extent of Jewish immigration during the shortened transition period.
U.S. IS CONFIDENT JEWISH STATE CAN ORGANIZE OWN CONSTABULARY
Johnson concluded by declaring that the U.N. foresees possible sporadic, unauthorized attempts at violence, but believes that the Arab states will not declare war on the territory that is now Palestine. If that situation should arise there are other sections of the U.N. Charter which will have to be put into effect, he said. He added that the U.S. is confident that the Zionist state can create a constabulary to maintain its internal order and that no international constabulary is needed under the new American plan. The U.S., he declared, also believes there will be no attack on the Jewish state and hopes that the Arabs will set about putting their own house in order.
Johnson explained that the American proposal was motivated by the fact that all countries agree on the necessity for an early termination of the Mandate and that the British Government regards as desirable both the early termination and withdrawal of its troops.
Emphasizing that the U.S. thinks that complete and early independence of the Jewish and Arab states is not only feasible but desirable for many reasons, Johnson said that the U.S. proposal to effect such independence on July 1, 1948, can be accomplished in coordination with the withdrawal of British troops.
It could be arranged, he pointed out, that the Mandatory transfer all government responsibility to each of the newly-created states simultaneously with the evacuation of the British administration and troops. Such coordination, Johnson continued would obviate the necessity for a transition period under a trusteeship and would also eliminate the need for a U.N. constabulary.
With regard to the three-man commission, Johnson said that the U.S. believes that the men to be chosen for this commission should be disinterested and highly qualified citizens of states which have no direct interest in Palestine. A commission composed of such men, he said, could give most effective assistance to the leaders of the Arab and Jewish groups forming the respective governments.
U.N. COMMISSION WOULD ONLY HAVE POWER TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS
Since the British have not set an exact date for withdrawal of their troops and administrative machinery, July 1, 1948, seemed the earliest practicable date, Johnson said. The new commission should go to Palestine as the agent of the General Assembly and should have only powers of recommendation, similar to that of the Assembly, he declared.
Leaders of the Jewish Agency would not comment on the American proposal since the discussion on it has not been concluded in the partition sub-committee. Soviet delegate Semyon Tsarapkin told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that his delegation will comment on the proposal in a statement tomorrow at a closed session of the sub-committee.
The Soviet delegation was especially interested in the methods of implementation suggested in the American proposal. Questions on these points were asked by Tsarapkin after Johnson made his proposal. No opposition was indicated by Tsarapkin in the course of his questioning.
SHERTOK ASKS CLARIFICATION ON PARTS OF AMERICAN PROPOSAL
At the afternoon session, Moshe Shertok, speaking for the Jewish Agency, asked the American delegation for clarification on the following points in its proposal:
“1. What is the exact meaning of the suggestion that all references to the transition period be deleted? There is a whole series of recommendations in the majority report linked up with the transition period, such as, for example, the recommendation for immigration at the monthly rate of 6,250, and such as that calling for abolition of land restrictions within the borders of the Jewish state. Is it the intention of the American proposal that these recommendations become inoperative?
“2. What arrangement is contemplated regarding the transfer of power or of ?ctions pending the attainment of independence? Is the transfer of power envisaged as a gradual matter or a one-time act? In the former event, will there be established provisional Jewish and Arab governments to take over governmental functions in their respective areas? Also, will the U.N. Commission be the final authority to determine the pace at which the process would occur and the form it would assume?
“3. On the assumption that the responsibility for maintenance of law and order will, upon the withdrawal of the British forces, devolve upon the forces of the Jewish and Arab states, is it intended that steps be taken well in advance of the achievement of independence to assure formation of a military force within each of the areas and its proper equipment, so that when the time comes it be ready to discharge its responsibility, and to whom is it intended to entrust the responsibility for creation of such forces?
The three-man working committee on boundaries continued its discussions today. It is understood that no agreement was reached on the question of western Galilee. The boundary group is expected to report to the full sub-committee tomorrow.
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