Mideast situation/Truce violations – Cablegram from SecCo president, Iraqi response

CABLEGRAM DATED 18 MAY 1948 FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL ADDRESSED TO THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF IRAQ, AND REPLY THERETO SUBMITTED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF IRAQ AT THE 301ST METING OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL

THE SECURITY COUNCIL AT ITS 295TH MEETING HELD ON 18 MAY DECIDED TO ADDRESS TO YOUR GOVERNMENT FOLLOWING QUESTIONS QUOTE

(a) ARE ARMED ELEMENTS OF YOUR ARMED FORCES OR IRREGULAR FORCES SPONSORED BY YOUR GOVERNMENT NOW OPERATING (1) IN PALESTINE; (2) IN AREAS (TOWNS, CITIES, DISTRICTS) OF PALESTINE WHERE THE JEWS ARE IN THE MAJORITY?

(b) IF SO, WHERE ARE SUCH FORCES NOW LOCATED AND UNDER WHAT COMMAND ARE THEY OPERATING, AND WHAT ARE THEIR MILITARY OBJECTIVES?

(c) ON WHAT BASIS IS IT CLAIMED THAT SUCH FORCES ARE ENTITLED TO ENTER (1) PALESTINE; (2) AREAS (TOWNS, CITIES, DISTRICTS) OF PALESTINE WHERE THE JEWS ARE IN THE MAJORITY, AND CONDUCT OPERATIONS THERE?

(d) WHO IS NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXERCISE OF POLITICAL FUNCTIONS IN THE AREAS OF PALESTINE WHERE THE ARABS ARE IN THE MAJORITY?

(e) IS SUCH AUTHORITY NOW NEGOTIATING WITH JEWISH AUTHORITIES ON A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IN PALESTINE?

(f) HAVE THE JEWISH FORCES VIOLATED YOUR FRONTIERS AND PENETRATED YOUR TERRITORY?

May 22nd 1948

Sir,
I have the honour to transmit to you the reply of my Government to the questions addressed to them in accordance with the request of the Security Council.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient servant

Naji Al-Asil

Chief Delegate of Iraq to the

United Nations General Assembly

Special Session

His Excellency M.A. Parodi

President of the Security Council

United Nations

Lake Success, New York.

Question A.
Are armed elements of your armed forces or irregular forces sponsored by your Government now operating:

1. In Palestine

2. In areas (towns, cities, districts) of Palestine where the Jews are in the majority?

Answer A.

1. Yes.

2. It is misleading to identify Palestine in terms of unit like towns, cities, districts, etc., where the identification of the majority and the minority could be used as an erroneous pretext for an argument.  Our contention is that Palestine should be looked upon as one country where the Arabs are the majority. Elements of our armed forces entered Palestine without discrimination either to the character of areas or to the creed of the inhabitants.

Question B.
If so where are such forces now located and under what command are they operating and what are their military objectives?
Answer B
Units of Iraqi forces are now operating west of the Jordan.  These forces are operating under the command of Iraqi-officers.  Their military objectives far from being directed against the Jews of Palestine, are the suppression of lawless Zionist terrorism which was dangerously spreading all over the country, and restoration of peace and order.  Such objectives will result in enabling the people of Palestine to set up a “united state” in which both Arabs and Jews will enjoy equal Democratic rights.
Question C.
On what basis is it claimed that such forces are entitled to enter:

1. Palestine

2. Areas (Towns, cities, districts) of Palestine where Jews are in the  majority, and conduct operations there?

Answer C.
Upon the termination of the Mandate on the 15th May, 1948, no legal authority was constituted to take its place.  In the same time the terrorism and the aggression of a minority assumed vast proportions and resulted in atrocities and massacre leading up to a complete state of anarchy.  For a long time such Zionist aggression was responsible for many atrocities and acts of unprovoked lawlessness, of which the Iraqi Consulate in Jerusalem received a share by having been attacked, destroyed, pillaged and many of its guards killed.  In the meantime many hundreds of thousands of the Arab civilian population were driven out of their homes and had to take refuge in the neighbouring Arab States.  This in itself was threatening to peace and order.  All this was taking place under the eyes of the United Nations and its Truce Commission.  The Arab League, as a regional organization interested in keeping the peace in that region could not stand by without action.  The League, of which my Government is a member, took that action in the confidence that, without foreign intervention to complicate the situation, they are able to realize such a high objective, as the restoration of peace and order with a view to arrive at a fair and just solution of the problem of Palestine.
Concerning what is called areas (Towns, cities, districts) of Palestine where Jews are in the majority, it must again be stated that the division of the country into such units for the present purpose is misleading and can be entertained on the basis of partition which we reject..
Question D.
Who is now responsible for the exercise of political functions in the areas of Palestine where the Arabs are in the majority?
Answer D.
Many a centre where the Arabs are in the majority have been the subject of Zionist aggression, oblivious of any existing authority, forcing them to evacuate their military occupation.  Civil Administration is exercised under the supervision of the military Commander by competent Civil Servants mostly of local origin.  This will be a temporary measure until law and order are established and a legal political organization based on Democratic principles has been instituted in accordance with the will of the people.
Question E.
Is such authority now negotiating with Jewish authorities on a political settlement in Palestine?
Answer E.
No. Negotiations under threat of terrorism is not liable to lead to peace and order or to an equitable solution of the problem.
Question F.
Have the Jewish forces violated your frontier and penetrated your territory?
Answer F.
Although there was no direct violation of Iraqi frontiers by Zionist bands yet the existing threat inside Palestine is not confirmed to the boundary of that country but extends to Iraq itself partly through the aggressive intentions of Zionism and partly through the fact that the Palestinian Arabs are an integral part of the Arab people in general.

——


Document symbol: S/769
Document Type: Cablegram, Telegram
Document Sources: Security Council
Country: Iraq
Subject: Armed conflict, Incidents, Middle East situation, Peace proposals and efforts
Publication Date: 18/05/1948
2019-03-11T22:28:21-04:00

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