U.N. Conciliation Commission Preparing New Statement on Jerusalem Problem

The United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine is completing preparation of a new statement on the Jerusalem question to be issued next Monday or shortly thereafter, it was reliably learned here today by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

It is understood the statement will seek to “clarify” points in the Commission plan for control of the Jerusalem area which the Commission feels require clarification before debate on the Plan begins in a week or so in the General Assembly Special Committee. What direction these interpreted comments will take is not revealed but it is considered significant that the Commission finds it necessary to issue a further report on the Jerusalem question.

A member of the Commission emphasized to the JTA today that the internationalization plan issued by the Commission last September was intended to be no more than a basis for discussion in the Assembly. Also stressed were the proposals in the plan for the “greatest degree of local autonomy.”

It was learned in American circles close to the Palestine issue that the United States delegation has also stressed the fact that the plan is to be regarded as opening the discussion on the topic and not to be looked upon as the final work on the subject. The American delegation, it was said, supports the plan with an “open mind” as far as modifications are concerned.

A delegation of top Arab diplomats have an appointment for Monday with Acting Secretary of State James E. Webb, it was announced by the State Department in Washington. The delegation includes the ambassadors of Egypt and Saudi Arabia and the Ministers of Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Transjordan. The Arabs have not indicated exactly what they want to discuss.

At a meeting yesterday the Commission completed drawing up its “confidential” reply to an Israel correction of the Commission’s conciliation procedure. This reply is to be handed over to the Israel delegation tomorrow.