WILL PARTITION BE RISKED BY U.N.O. IN PALESTINE ?

Grey River Argus, 5 April 1948, Page 3

WILL PARTITION BE RISKED BY U.N.O. IN PALESTINE ?

SPECIAL COMMISSION WANTS TO GO AHEAD fN.Z.P.A.—Reuter Cable]. (Rec. 9.0). NEW YORK. April 3. In spite of the U.N.O. Security Council having decided to convene a special meeting of the United Nations Assembly to reconsider the whole Palestine problem, the U.N.O. Palestine Commission decided, yesterday, to proceed with its partition plans. This decision was made on a vote of four to one, with Czechoslovakia, Bolivia, the Philippines and Panama in favour of partition, and Denmark against. The majority opinion was that the Commission had received instructions from the U.N.O. Assembly, and that only the Assembly could reverse the instructions. The Danish delegate felt that a decision now to proceed with partition would add fire to the inflamed passions at this time when all efforts should be concentrated on pacifying the parties in Palestine. A key delegate at Lake Success today expressed doubt that the United Nations Assembly would reverse its decision to partition Palestine. He said that it would be extremely difficult to marshal the two-thirds majority of the fifty-seven nations to overthrow the partition resolution of November 29 last.

The Jewish Agency’s representative told the U.N.O. Security Council he could not agree to a truce unless the United Nations continued to seek the partition of Palestine. The Arabs reserved their decision, but agreed to send a representative to discuss terms for a truce.

The chief 'Arab spokesman. Mr Faris el Khoury (Syria), told the Council that the Assembly would be given another opportunity to observe the “blunder" it had committed m voting for partition. Mr Warren Austin (United States) said a truce was needed to stop the blood feud in Palestine.

Mr Moshe Shertok, speaking for the Jewish Agency, said: “Partition and the establishment of a Jewish State are actually in progress in Palestine. The Jews are determined to obtain the necessary arms and defend themselves and their State"._ Sir Alexander Cadogan (Britain) reiterated . Britain’s determination to terminate - the mandate on May 15. He added that he was voting for a special session, because bloodshed was increasing in Palestine, and because the Council desired to let y.he General Assembly reconsider' partition.