Well-informed British sources today expressed the belief that the long-awaited British statement on Palestine will not be made while Prime Minister Attlee is in the United States. They indicated that Attlee’s discussions with President Truman regarding Palestine will now cover a wider field than criginally intended, with the aim of issuing a joint Anglo-American declaration instead of an exclusively British statement.
In the House of Commons today both pro-Zionist and pro-Arab members pressed for an immediate statement on Palestine. Lord Winterton, whose pro-Arab sentiments are well known, asked whether Attlee would not consider making a statement before his departure for the United States since the long delay has been interpreted to mean that the Labor members of Parliament made promises which they cannot carry out.
Replying, the Prime Minister again reiterated that a statement on Palestine will be made “as soon as possible.” However, the same scurces that predicted that no declaration of policy would be forthcoming before Attlee concludes his talks with President Truman, emphasized that even the promised meager announcement by Foreign Secretary Bevin may not be issued while Attlee is in the United States.
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