Body to Hear Arab States’ Testimony in Beirut; Chairman Confers with Arab Leaders

Members of the United Nations Special Committee Palestine will hear representatives of the Arab states in Beirut next Monday, and (##) then fly to Switzerland to draw up their report, it was learned today. This (##)shes rumors that UNSCOP members would hear the Arabs’ argument in Cairo where it felt the influence of the ex-Mufti of Jerusalem would be considerable.

The reason that the Lebanese capital was selected is that aside from its (##)ximity to Jerusalem, that city is regarded as less pre judiced politically than (##)ro. Before UNSCOP invited the Arab states to present their case, one member of the (##)mittee made informal contact with a representative of the Arab states here, and he (##)rned that if they were invited to appear they would accept. UNSCOP considered(##)ring the Arab states in Jerusalem but the question arose here whether the atmos(##)re was propitious.

While the UNSCOP invitation did not state what capital it preferred for the (##)rings, the Arab states’ representative knew that either Geneva or Beirut would more acceptable than Cairo. The entire matter was handled very gingerly and at (##) point, it is understood, the Australian member, John D. L. Hood, suggested that an (##)itation to these forthcoming hearings be extended by Trygve Lie, the U.N. sec(##)tary-general.

At another juncture the suggestion was advanced that the Arab states merely (##)esent a memorandum, and not appear, but the Indian member, Sir Abdur Rahman, demand an opportunity to question the Arab representatives.

It is learned from unimpeachable sources that UNSCOP Chairman Emil Sandstroem (##)s been in touch with various Arab leaders. Recently he met Dr. Bushnak, a Husseini (##)llower and deputy director of the Arab College in Jerusalem. Later he conferred (##)th Sheikh Ragheb Abu Saud and Kamel Effendi Dajani, leaders of the Husseini faction Jaffa, and he has been in contact with leaders of the Istiqlal (Independence) Party (##)ich is headed by Auni Bey Abdul Hadi, a member of the Palestine Arab Higher Committee.

Another report, not as yet confirmed here, states that members of the committee have met with Jamal Husseini, vice-chairman of the Higher Committee. They are (##)id to have discussed all phases of the Palestine problem and the possiblities of (##)e Higher Committee’s testifying before UNSCOP.

Arrangements are practically completed for Mussa el Alami, head of the world-(##)de Arab Offices, to attend the Geneva sittings. If el Alami testifies and establishes his reputation as a moderate willing to defy the ex-Mufti’s boycott of UNSCOP, (##)hen presents the same views as the Husseinites, the committee will be impressed with (##)he “united” point of view of all Palestine Arabs, Arab strategists feel.