UN Palestine Commission – Tariffs and Trade – Letter from United Kingdom

18 February 1948

UNITED NATIONS PALESTINE COMMISSION

Communication Received from Mr. Fletcher-Cooke of the
United Kingdom Delegation Concerning Tariffs and. Trade

The following communication, relating to the application to Palestine of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, has been received from Mr. Fletcher-Cooks of the United Kingdom Delegation.

18 February 2948

UNITED KINGDOM DELEGATION TO THE UNITED NATIONS

Empire State Building

New York 1, N.Y.

17th February, 1948:

Dear Bunche,

I have been asked to bring to the Commission’s notice the following point relating to the application to Palestine of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

During the negotiations at Geneva last year, the Government of Palestine was represented and both made and obtained tariff concessions. In order to make these concessions effective, it will be necessary for the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade to be provisionally applied to Palestine. This, in accordance with the Protocol of Provisional Application, requires the giving of thirty days’ notice to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

It would appear that in accordance with the terms of paragraph 2, International Conventions, Chapter 3 of Section C of Part I of the Plan of Partition with Economic Union, the application to Palestine of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade would be binding on the successor States subject to the right of denunciation by either State.

Under present arrangements the Agreement could only be provisionally applied to Palestine a few days before the responsibility for administration passes to the United Nations Commission. His Majesty’s Government, however, consider that it would be to the advantage of Palestine that notice of provisional application should be given, and unless the Commission see any objection, they propose to proceed accordingly.

I should, therefore, be grateful if you would inform me whether the Commission agree to this proposal.

Yours sincerely,

J. Fletcher-Cooke (signed)

Dr. Ralph J. Bunche,

Principal Secretary to the United Nations

Commission on Palestine,

United Nations,

Lake Success.