A split among leaders of the Palestine Higher Arab Committee regarding closer orientation to Moscow, in protest against the recommendations of the Anglo-American committee, was seen here following a statement by Auni Bey Abdul Hadi, a member of the Committee, denying Cairo reports that the Arab League, which today announced that it will hold a special conference on May 18 to discuss the Palestine situation, will at that time select a delegation to go to Moscow.
Although agreeing that there is a “tendency” among the Arabs to look towards Russia, Abdul Hadi said that any statement by members of the Higher Committee to the effect that a delegation would be sent to Moscow were made as individuals and was not the official position of the Committee.
The Arab press reports today that Fawzi Bey el Kawkadji, who commanded Arab terrorist bands during the disturbances of 1936 to 1939, is now in Moscow. In 1943 the Nazi radio reported that Fawzi Bey had been killed in action on the Russian front, but subsequent information indicated that he was still alive and working with the ex-Mufti at the Nazi Propaganda Ministry. (Early this year the New York Arabic press reported that he had found refuge in Sandi Arabia following the collapse of Germany.)
Meanwhile, Jamal Husseini, president of the Higher Committee, and chief exponent of the plan to seek Moscow aid, is reported to have been warned by High Com- missioner Sir Alan G. Cunningham that Arab attempts to creates a disturbance here would be met with prompt and forceful action.
(The Moscow radio yesterday quoted extensive excerpts from statements by Arab leaders protesting the recommendations of the Anglo-American committee.)
In Bagdad the Iraq Government issued a statement appealing to Britain to continue the White Paper policy until the United Nations has an opportunity to act on the Palestine matter. In Damascus, Syrian Premier Saadalah Jabri also voiced opposition to the inquiry committee report.
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