UNCCP – Re. Israel offering Jordan access to port facilities – Letter from Israel

UNITED NATIONS CONCILIATION COMMISSION FOR PALESTINE

Letter dated 10 June 1949 addressed by Dr. Walter Eytan, Head of the Delegation of Israel,
to the Principal Secretary of the Conciliation Commission

Dear M. Azcárate,

I should be much obliged if you would convey the following statement to the Conciliation Commission.

At the meeting between the Conciliation Commission and the Delegation of Israel on 9th June, I stated that the Government of Israel, in order to assist the Hashemite Jordan Kingdom which had no outlet to the sea except at Akaba, was prepared to create a free zone in the port of Haifa, through which the Hashemite Jordan Kingdom would be able to import and export goods free of Israeli customs duties. (See document SR/LM.19 of  9 June 1949, page 8).

I should like to make it clear that my Government is offering these facilities as a measure under clause 10 of the General Assembly's resolution of 11 December 1948, which instructs the Conciliation Commission “to seek arrangements…which will facilitate the economic development of the area, including arrangements for access to ports and airfields and the use of transportation and communication facilities”.

My Government is deeply interested in the economic development of the Middle East and sees in the establishment of a free zone in Haifa a measure of practical assistance to the economy of its eastern neighbour, the Hashemite Jordan Kingdom. My delegation is ready at any time to discuss with the Arab delegations other arrangements, as envisaged under clause 10 of the General Assembly’s resolution of 11 December 1948, which will facilitate the economic development of the area.

Yours sincerely,

S/ Walter Eytan