In an exclusive interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Soviet delegate Andrei Gromyko expressed satisfaction when he was told that his statement advocating the right of the Jews to a state of their own had been received very favorably by Jewish circles, which interpreted it as indicating in significant departure from the official Soviet opposition to Zionism.
Gromyko said that he saw no conflict between his support of partition and his unsuccessful demand in the Political Committee that the issue of independence be included in the terms of reference of the inquiry committee. “In fact,” he added, “I pay vote for the terms of reference as they stand when the report of the Political Committee comes up for a vote before the Assembly.”
Gromyko’s statement revealing that he may vote for the terms of reference at the Assembly–probably tomorrow–but may vote against the composition of the inquiry commission apparently explains why the Ukrainian delegate asked that the report of the Political Committee be voted upon in two parts.
Rueful members of the U.S. delegation told the JTA that Gromyko had “stolen is march” on the United States on the ultimate solution of the Palestine problem. It has been taken for granted in U.N. circles that the U.S. Government favors partition, but did not wish to express its views at the present session, preferring to wait until September.
Gromyko’s statement today minimizes the importance of any declaration which may be made later by the United States or by any other delegation. “We shall not reveal our formal stand until the September Assembly,” a spokesman for the American delegation told the JTA. “However, we will have plenty to say then.”
Jewish Agency spokesmen hailed Gromyko’s statement as paving the way for the establishment of a Jewish state. “There should be no differences of opinion among the major powers now, when even Russia has expressed itself in favor of partition,” one of the Agency spokesmen said. He pointed out that the element of power politics has now been eliminated by the fact that the Soviet delegation is no longer insisting on a recommendation by the inquiry commission for the immediate independence of Palestine.
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