Plan of work, Association “Lieux de Genève” letter, “The Times” article re. Jerusalem’s upcoming mtg w/ Church leaders in London – UNCCP’s Cttee on Jerusalem 35th mtg. (Lausanne) – Summary record

UNITED NATIONS CONCILIATION COMMISSION FOR PALESTINE

COMMITTEE ON JERUSALEM

SUMMARY RECORD OF THE THIRTY-FIFTH MEETING

held Lausanne on Thursday, on Monday, 27 June 1949,
 at  11.15 a.m.

 Plan of work of Committee

The Committee discussed its program of work for the period from 1-18 July during which the Conciliation Commission would be in recess. The Committee agreed to take up the following points:

(i) Discussion with the Israeli delegation of the question of formal guarantees to be given as to the protection of and access to the Holy Places outside the Jerusalem area (paragraph 7 of the resolution of the General Assembly of 11 December 1948).

(ii) Discussion with the Israeli and Arab delegations of such questions of an economic and financial character regarding the Jerusalem area which do not prejudice the final political regime.

(iii) Revision of Articles 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16 and 17 of the Draft Proposals for an International Regime for the Jerusalem area (Com.Jer./W.18), i.e. the non-political aspects of that draft.

(iv) Drafting of the Committee’s Second Report to the Conciliation Commission.

2. Communication from the Association “Lieux de Genève”.

The SECRETARY called the attention of the Committee to a letter received by the Commission from the Secretary-General of the Association “Lieux de Genève”. This letter, as well as the Convention on Protection of Civilians in Time of War, which Convention was about to be drawn up in Geneva, contained some ideas of interest for the future regime of Jerusalem. It was agreed that this subject might also be studied during the recess of the Commission.

3. Article in “THE TIMES” of 20 June 1949

The SECRETARY submitted a letter which in accordance with the decision of the Committee at its 34th meeting was to be sent to Mr. Barnes in Jerusalem, in connection with the article in the London “TIMES” on the future plan for Jerusalem. The letter was approved by the Committee.

4. Question of meeting with the Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Church in London.

The CHAIRMAN reported that he had conveyed, on behalf of the Committee, to the Greek Minister in Berne that the Committee would be glad to receive the Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Church in London during his visit to Lausanne and to hear the views of the Orthodox Church which he had been requested by the Patriarch of Jerusalem to explain to the Committee. He had pointed out that the Committee was not of itself seeking any consultations with the various religious bodies concerned inasmuch as such consultations had already taken place in Jerusalem.

It was agreed that the afternoon of Wednesday 13 July should be reserved for the hearing of the Metropolitan.