The Arab delegations here have lost their fight to push the Western Powers into agreement for the appointment of a custodian in charge of properties allegedly left by the Arab refugees in Israel, and for the expansion of the Palestine Conciliation Commission, it was learned on highest authority here today.
As a result, the Western Powers–led by the United States, Britain, France, Canada, New Zealand and Australia–will back a resolution on the Arab refugee problem which the Arabs are expected to fight, and try to amend, before the General Assembly’s Special Political Committee.
The committee suspended debate of its item on the Arab refugee problem while negotiations proceeded behind the scenes between the six Western Powers and the Arab delegations in an effort to reach agreement on a draft resolution. After more than a week of negotiations, the West has finally and firmly rejected the Arab proposals.
In addition to demanding appointment of a UN custodian for Arab property in Israel, the Arab delegations are demanding that the PCC be enlarged to include six additional members, three of which would represent Communist countries and three from “uncommitted” Afro-Asian lands.
Israel has made it clear, through conferences in Jerusalem between Mrs. Golda Meir, the Foreign Minister, and Western envoys, that she is opposed to both Arab demands. The PCC consists of three members, representing the United States, France and Turkey.
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