The 57-nation Ad Hoc Committee on Palestine is expected to resume sessions Tuesday by which time its chairman, Dr. Herbert Evatt, expects the sub-committee on partition to be ready with a report on implementation of a partition plan, boundaries of the two states, and an economic union between them. Dr. Evatt indicated this week-end that he is determined to hold daily meetings of the Ad Hoc Committee in order to reach a solution of the Palestine problem before the General Assembly closes November 25.
The four-nation working group on implementation continued its discussions this week-end following a renewed American appeal to Britain to continue to maintain responsibility for the administration of Palestine during the transition period. Canadian delegate Lester B. Pearson finally put forward his previously announced compromise plan to reconcile the Soviet and U.S. positions on implementation.
In the form of questions posed to Semyon Tsarapkin, of the U.S.S.R., and Maj. Gen. John Hilldring, of the U.S., Pearson suggested that the General Assembly appoint the commission to implement a U.N. decision, but that the body would be responsible to the Security Council alone. He also proposed that the Palestine Mandate be terminated on January 1, as suggested by the Russians, and that the two powers ask Britain to accept responsibility as an agent of the U.N. for administration of Palestine until the two states can take over the state powers on their own. Most observers agree that at least six months will be required before the Jewish and Arab states can be fully independent.
U.S., RUSIAN DELEGATES AGREE TO CONSULT GOVERNMENTS ON CANADIAN PLAN
Pearson achieved a major triumph when both the Soviet and American delegates agreed to consult their governments on his plan. Pearson later told a press conference that he was encouraged that Tsarpkin had not rejected his proposal outright. The replies from Washington and Moscow were expected late today.
Another decision, at the meeting of the partition sub-committee, centered around disposition of the city of Jerusalem, with support developing for partition of the city. Uruguay proposed that the old city of Jerusalem and all other Holy Places in Palestine be placed under a special regime, and that the Jewish and Arab parts be placed irrespectively in the Jewish and Arab states.
Russia supported Uruguay, Tsarapkin declaring that the plan was acceptable and sensible because it provides a solution of the nationality problem, satisfies both Jewish and Arab interests while protecting all three religious interests. The U.S. did not express strong objection to the Uruguayan plan. A working group of the Czechoslovak and Uruguayan delegates was appointed by Chairman Ksawery Pruszynski to draft a proposal on Jerusalem.
Speaking for the Jewish Agency, Moshe Shertok urged adoption of the Uruguayan proposal. J.M. Martin, British observer, citing Jerusalem population figures, sugg?ted that divided loyalties and the question of common public services might make the administration problem difficult.
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