The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1949-07-09

RCSduoC tAACAG - iSdNllleSS Oli
the part of Arabs and Jews to
heed the insistenee Of the United
Nations that peace shall reign in
Palestine; because a great num-
Der Of men and women have been
willing to risk their lives in serv-
ing the United Nations ideal; be-
cause Arabs and Jews have been
sensible enough to sit down to-
gether and negotiate their diff
ferences; because of these factors
big steps toward permanent
peace have been taken in Pales-
tine. The truce checked the
fighting. The armistice agree
ments have taken the warning
parties much further along the
road to peace. They define arm
istice demarcation lines. They
provide for substantial reduction
and withdrawal OF armed forces
on both sides, with a view toward
eliminating any possibility Of
offensive military action by either
side. Each agreement incorpor-
ates an article which, in sub
stance, is non-aggression pact.
In each instance, Mixed Arnis-
tice Commissions are established
whereby through joint and CO.
operative effort, assisted by
United Nations Observers, the
parties themselves supervise the
application of the arnistice
terms. The agreements were
signed at the governmental level
aud firmly bind the governments.
Any violations of their terms
would be an act of bad faith by
the responsible Government.
But undoubtedly the greatest
significance Of the agreements is
to be found in the fact that they
are voluntary agreements, that
the representatives of the Arab
and Israeli governments have
now, for the first time, sat down
together as equal parties in
earnest consultation, and have
learned that it is possible for
them to resolve vital differences
by craftsmanship and a mutual
spirit Of Cancellation. This is the
United Nations way. This is a
vital lesson not only for Arabs
and Israelis but for a troubled
world at large.
It would be serious mistake
however, to exaggerate the sig
nificance of the Palestine armis-
tiee agreements, Serious prob
lens Of non-military character
await solution. These include, the
repatriation and resettlement Of
the Arab refugees. those tragic
and innocent victims of the con-
hIct Of whom there are now esti-
mated at some 100000; the status
OF jerusalem and the HOLY
Places; and the definition Of
permanent frontiers. The United
Nations Palestine Cancellation
Commission, now meeting at
Lausanne with Arab. and Jewish
delegations, is engaged in assist
ing the parties to find amicable
and just solutions for all of their
outstanding differences. The set
Element of these differences poses
\ a strong challenge for both Arab
and Jewish statemanship. Their
settlement will require important
concessions from both sides.
Inc burden OF finding agree
ment rests upon the parties
themselves, but it has been
abundantly demonstrated that
the ions is the indis-
pensable catalytic agent in the
process. | am quite convinced that
the Palestine experience has
amply demonstrated that the
United Nations has a vital role
to play in world disputes as me
dlator and condiliator, quite
apart from any enforcement ac-
ton, and that it can play this
role effectively. 1t has shown
that by persistence and by firm
resolve to maintain the peace. the
United Nations can assist the op-
posing parties, bitterly antag-
onistlc though they may be. along
the road to peaceful settlement
"ielr olfferences, however
serious, and thus avert a danger
Gus threat to the peace.
The processes Of Cancellation
and mediation are slow and tedi-
T Gus, but they can pay handsome
dividends. In the long run il
may well be that they will pro-
vide the most firm procedure
foundations for a peaceful world
: It is very doubtful, in my view
: that a peace founded upon force
alone could long endure. In the
. final analysis lasting peace mus
,, be founded upon consent freely
given and agreement voluntarily
achieved.
In Palestine, as in many other
: troubled areas Of the u,a,.1d ft.s