GOOD PROGRESS MADE TOWARDS ARMISTICE

Chronicle (Levin), 19 January 1949, Page 5

GOOD PROGRESS MADE TOWARDS ARMISTICE

(N.Z.P.A.-

- Reuter •

Mr. Bevin Replies To Questions About Palestine

, cojjpright)

•Reeeived Wednesday, 10.45 a.m. LONDON, January 18,. The Government had reports indicating that good progress was being -made towards a complete armistice agreement in Palestine, the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Ernest Bevin, told the House of Commons today. Mrte Bevin revealed that apart from the peace talks at Rhodes between the Jewish and Egyptian representatives, other Arab countries were also diseussing an armistice with Israel. He said that Britain was prepared to release the Jewish ifiig-* rants held on Cyprus.

Mr. Bevin, who was replying to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Churchill, said that in view of the attacks niade o.n it, the Gpvernment naturally wanted to make a full statement to the House as soon as possible on the situation in the Middle East, particularly Palestine. But delicate negotiations were now being carried on at Rhodes between the Jewish and Egyptian representatives, and there were also other discussions going on with other contestants. "I am sure the House will agree that any diseussion on these problems may have a disturbing eflect. The main objective must be to secure a peaceful settlement of the Palestine qufestion in the interests both of the contestants and the stability of the Middle East." Britain had reports indicating that good progress was being made towards a complete armistice agreement, he a,dded. Release Of Detainees Mr. Bevin said that the Government had sent a message to the acting Palestine mediator, Dr. Ralph Bunche, announcing that it was prepared to allow Jewish immigrants of military age detained on Cyprus to leave for Palestine as soon as the Jewish authorities provided transport for them. The more favourable situation whic.h had now arisen had caused the Government to intimate that it was prepared to let these Jews go. He hoped to make a further fuller statement next week, concluded Mr. Bevin. Mr. Churchill said: "I fear wei shall have to ask for a "debate next week. The House must not be prevented from diseussing matters of real and urgent interest by statements that improvepients are . expeeted. I don't think Mr. Be'vih s statement that' the Jewish immig rants on Cyprus are to be allowed to join the Jewish forces in Palestine fits in with the. drastic military action he has taken in other directions. 'Should the request for a debate be granted, we are prepared • to press that it should not stand in

the path of a motion for an adjournment which might be made on some precise topic such as the orders given to the British planes, which we east away the other day."' The Leader of the Liberal Party, Mr. Clement Davies, asked Mr. Bevin why British" armed forces had been sent to Transjordan, Egypt and Palestine areas and whether the Security Council had decided not to send any troops to these areas. He asked for an assurance that the British troops would not be ordered to engage in military operations in these areas. Mr. Bevin replied that the Government, under the treaty with Transjordan, had decided that it could not refuse a request from the Transjordan Government to send British troops to Akaba. No troops had been sent to Palestine. "Our future actions will be determined by our treaty obligations and United Nations decisions," declared Mr. Bevin. "We have no obligations or intentions to engage in any offensive or aggressive action." Asked by Mr. Churchill whether a British representative to the de facto Government of Israel was needed at present, Mr. Bevin replied that the question of recognition wag not easy. The Govern- : ment could not take one side in an isolated way. Mr. Bevin said that in another part of the wqrld — Indonesia — the question of de facto recognition had created serious troubles. No Obligation j Referring to Palestine, Mr. Bevin | s,aid that he had been handicapped I in "nqatly all their business" by [ agreements with other people. He ; did not think Britain was under | an obligation to seek the assent oi , the Security Council before sending' troops to Akaba/ . - .... i' When the Jewish Labour mem-! • ber, Mr. Sidney Silve'rman, asked ! why British troops had, been sent ■ to Akaba when Israeli troops had^ 1 not. gone into Transjordan, ...Mr.- ; Bevin replied that the fact was' ; that there was a very grave danger : at one point. "I don't want to say j any more today and unless you ■ prpvoke me I won't say any more."'