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Britain Rejects U.N. Proposal for “preliminary Steps” to Organize Militia in Palestine

March 9, 1948
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The U.N. Palestine Commission today received a ##at refusal from the British Government that it permit “preliminary steps” for set##ng up an armed militia before the Mandate’s termination. the British also reject? a request from the Commission for stockpiling of military arms and equipment under ###for use after the Mandate expires.

The British reply on militia came in response to a request from the Commission for immediate allocation of cantonment areas, recruiting and training of militia and organization of cadres. The British suggested all this could be done in the two weeks ##rior to May 15.

The Commission today sent a letter to the British Government requesting the Mandatory to stockpile food up to July 31 from imports to be charged against the trading account of the Palestine Government. The draft instructions were prepared by a committee composed of representatives of the United Kingdom and Belgium. They cover the following matters: duties and power of the Governor; the Council of Administration; The Legislative Council and legislation; public officers and initial organizational ?atters.

In the course of this morning’s discussion, Roger Garreau of France insisted on the appointment of a Governor of Jerusalem as soon as possible to enable him to prepare himself for the implementation of the draft statute. It was generally understood that the instructions to the Governor should come into force simultaneously with the draft statute for Jerusalem to which they are a corollary.

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