Palestine question – Formation of militias – UNPC Press release

UNITED NATIONS

Department of Public Information

Press and Publications Bureau

Lake Success, New York

Press Release PAL/141

8 March 1948

PALESTINE COMMISSION TO REPORT TO SECURITY COUNCIL

ON MANDATORY'S UNWILLINGNESS TO PERMIT FORMATION

MILITIAS PRIOR TO 15 MAY

The United Nations Palestine Commission decided today that it would report to the Security Council the unwillingness of the Mandatory Power to permit steps preparatory to the formation of militia in the Jewish and Arab states prior to the termination of the Mandate on 15 May.

The British Delegation, in reply to a specific inquiry by the Commission, had stated that none of the suggested preparatory steps would be acceptable.  The Commission agree that it must consider this reply a final statement of the British position and that it was obliged to report the situation to the Council.

The advance party of the Commission's secretariat, now in Palestine, will be asked to negotiate on the spot regarding the details of the transfer to the Commission of arms and stores of the Palestine Police Force which the Mandatory intends to relinquish to the Commission as of May 15.

The Commission also considered the reply of the Mandatory Power to the Commission's question as to whether the Mandatory Administration would permit the Commission itself to send arms and related supplies into Palestine to be held under seal until the Mandate ends.  The British reply, stating that Mandatory Power would require details as to the nature of such arms and assurances by the Commission that it would assume responsibility for safe custody of the supplies in Palestine, was regarded by the Commission as a negative reply in light of the impossibility of meeting the second condition.

The Commission discussed the problem of sterling balances of the Palestine Administration which have been frozen by the British Government.  Negotiations with the Mandatory Power with respect to these balances will be undertaken by the Commission.

The Commission will meet tomorrow, March 9, at 3 PM.

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