U.S. Welcomes Compromise Resolution on Jerusalem Proposed by Sweden, Netherlands at U.N.

A compromise resolution on Jerusalem, going a long way in meeting the position of Israel on the subject, was introduced jointly today by the Netherlands and Sweden, and was promptly labelled by the American delegation at the meeting as a possible basis for a solution of the Jerusalem problem.

The resolution, presented to the Assembly’s Special Political Committee, establishes a U.N. commissioner and deputy in the Holy City, but his position would be limited to the “functional” authority, as previously defined by Israel spokesmen, supervision of the Holy places only. All political and secular authorities under terms of the resolution would remain in present hands.

It was noted, however, that the proposal specifically banned the setting up of Jerusalem as a national capital and it also empowers the commissioner to rescind laws and ordinances pertaining to the area which he considers impair the religious rights and immunities under international protection and to create new ones he regards as essential for maintaining public order, necessary for protection of the Holy Places.

A new resolution was also placed before the Committee by Bolivia. Taking cognizance, too, of the Israel position, it calls for the drawing up by a commission of seven members of a “Juridical statute to provide functional internationalization” limited to guarantees for the Holy Places. The Statute, according to the resolution, would be based on an agreement between the United Nations, Israel and Transjordan, with a supervisory organ established for its implementation. This resolution also forbids the establishment of Jerusalem as a capital of either Israel or Transjordan.

In declaring that the joint Netherlands-Swedish proposal represented a possible compromise of extreme views, John C. Ross, of the U.S. delegation, declared that the American delegation would study it sympathetically. On the other hand, he pointed out that the recommendation adopted last week by the subcommittee of the U.N. Special political Committee for internationalization of Jerusalem would confront the U.N. Trusteeship Council with the impossible task of establishing and operating an entity which fails to take into account the realities of the situation.