A strongly-worded resolution calling on the united Nations Security Council to declare that “the situation in Palestine constitute a threat to the peace and a breach of the peace” within the meaning of the U.N. carter was introduced in the Council this afternoon by United States delegate Warren Austin.
The resolution calls on the U.N. to: 1. Order ell governments and authorities cease and desist from any hostile military action and to that end issue a cease-fire and stand-fast order to their military and para-military forces to become effective within 36 hours after the adoption of this resolution; 2. Direct the Truce Commission established by the Council April 23 to report to the Council or the compliance with these orders.
The Soviet Union immediately endorsed the American resolution. British delectate John Fletcher-Cooks, on the other hand, questioned the Council’s right to declare the Arab invasion a threat to the peace because, he said, Palestine was now a no-man’s ?and.
Austin suggested that the Council submit a list of questions to the parties concerned in order to clarify the Palestine situation. The Arab League states would be asked to declare whether their armed forces “or irregular forces under your control” are operating in Palestine; where they are located and what their objectives are; and on what legal basis these forces are intervening in Palestine. The Higher Committee is required to answer whether it is exercising political authority in Palestine and whether it requested assistance from Arab governments outside of Palestine.
The questions to be asked of the Israel Government are: 1. Over which areas of Palestine do you actually exercise control at the present time? 2. Do you have armed forces operating outside areas claimed by your Jewish state? 3. If so, on what basis do you attempt to justify such operations? 4. Are you negotiating with Arab authorities regarding either a truce or a political settlement in Palestine? 5. Have you named representatives to deal with the Security Council Truce Commission for the purpose of effecting the truce called by the Security Council? 6. Will you agree to an immediate and unconditional truce for the city of Jerusalem and the Holy Places?
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