The Jewish Agency today revealed that it has received an official invitation from the British Government to participate in the forth coming round-table conference on Palestine.
The invitation was extended to the Agency ten days ago. Within twenty-four hours, Dr. Chaim Weizmann, president of the Agency, sent a letter to Colonial Secretary George Hall stating that the Agency was unable to participate in round-table negotiations on the basis of the “federalization” plan outlined by government spokesman Herbert Morrison in Parliament.
In his letter, Dr. Weizmann also advanced the following demands as prerequisites to the Jewish Agency’s participation in the round-table discussions:
1. The Jewish Agency should have full freedom to designate its own delegates, including those who are at present under detention, or those who may possibly be detained.
2. The Jewish Agency executive shall, in consultation with the British Government, invite all members of the Jewish delegation to the round-table talks, it being understood that the Agency will include representatives of other important Jewish organizations.
The British Government is starting preparations tomorrow for the planned round-table conference with Jews and Arabs which is expected to start during the first ten days of September. The sessions will be held in camera, but daily communiques will be issued to the press, it was learned today.
ARABS NAME DELEGATES TO THE LONDON PARLEY; DOUBT OUTCOME
A report from Cairo today said that Arab League headquarters believes that the London conference will meet between Sept. 6 and 10. An official announcement by the League listed the names of the delegates of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Transjordan and Saudi Arabia who will participate in the conference, Palestine Arabs will be represented at the conference by two delegates, the announcement added.
The London press today publishes reports from Jerusalem and Cairo quoting Arab leaders there as stating that they do not believe that the conference in London will be successful. They emphasized that the Arab delegates at the conference will oppose any division of Palestine and will insist on the halting of Jewish immigration and the proclaiming of Palestine as an independent Arab state. Should the British Government not accede to these demands, the Arabs will bring the Palestine case before the United Nations General. Assembly, which is scheduled to take place in September in New York, the Arab spokesmen declared.
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