Evening star., 1948-12-05
Cancellation Proposal
On Palestine Backed,
b-21, by U. n. Group
" the kssociotsd Press

PARIS, Dec. "A mangled
British-American plan for a
Palestine conciliation commits
sion was approved today'by the
United Nations Political Com
mittee, but final U. N. Assembly
approval was doubtful. s.4
The vote in the 58-member COM
mittse was Is to 81 for the dras-
tically amended resolution originally
introduced by Britain and supported
by the United States. Nine coun-
tries abstained and three were abb
sent.
Only a single majority was re-
quired for committee approval, but
q two-thirds majority of those pres
ent and voting is necessary in the
Assembly, where the same So ma
tions are represented.
Opposed by Sotiet Bloc.
The Soviet bloc, with votes, was
part Of the 21-nation minority which
voted against the final draft. This
group, including the Arab bloc, is
In a position to kill the commission
proposal when the resolution comes
up in the Assembly early next week.
One of Russia's main objections
was to the arrangements for setting
up the three-nation conciliation
commission. She wants stronger
voice in selecting the three coun-
tries.
The Arabs said one of their rea-
sons. for opposing the resolution is
because it mentions the 1947 parti-
ton plan. They said they are op-
posed to any plan which even in
directly refers to the partition of
Palestine and recognition of Israel.
There still is a possibility of a
compromise which would remove
Soviet objections and swing the Rus
sian bloc votes. This would result
in a vote of 81 to Is for the resolu-
ton, If all other delegates stand pat.
Bunche Would Continue.
If the Assembly fails to approve
the resolution, the situation in ef-
feet would remain as it was before
the Assembly took up the Palestine
question at this session.
The acting U. N. mediator. DR..
Ralph Bunche, would continue his
duties, under resolutions previously
adopted by the Assembly and the
Security Council. These measures
also include the partition plan ap-
proved by the Assembly 80 to 13
November %, 1947.
Here in brief are the main pro-
visions of the resolution-shot
through with amendments-appro
ed today:
/. A conciliation commission of
three members would be established.
2. This commission, whose men,
bers are to be chosen by the five
big powers, would take over the job
of the U. N. mediator. Also, if the
Security Council required, it would
taken over the U. N. truce observa-
ton machinery in Palestine.
Final Settlement Sought.
8. It would assist Arabs and Jews
to achieve a final settlement of all
outstanding questions between them,
4. The conciliation commission
would draw up for the 1949 General
Assembly detailed plans for per-
manent international regime for
Jerusalem which would provide
maximum local autonomy for dis
tinctive groups in the international
zone.
5. 1t would ask that refugees,
wishing to return to their homes
and live at peace with their neigh
bors, be allowed to come back. The
commission would facilitate their
return.
6. The commissions headquarters
would be in Jerusalem and the U. N.
would provide limited number OF
guards for its protection.
The Political Committee beat down
repeated Australian attempts to
make the 1947 partition plan the
sta ting point for negotiations on
boundaries and political problems.
Provisions Knocked Out.
It also knocked out of the original
British draft:
/. That the conciliation commits
sion consider both the 1947 parti-
ton scheme and the Bernadotte
plan in working out Israel's bound
aries. This eliminated the recon-
mendation of Count Folke Berna-
dotte, slain mediator, that the Ne
geb desert be taken from Israel in
return for Western Galilee. The
Jews hold both the Negeb and Cali
lee now.
2. A section indorsing Count Ber-
nadotte's recommendations which
apparently would have given Arab
Palestine to Trans-Jordan.
The delec ates thus left the COM