Palestine question – American, Belgian observers for Palestine – Press release

UNITED NATIONS

Department of Public Information

Press and Publications Bureau

Lake Success, New York

Press Release PAL/222

21 July 1948

GROUP OF AMERICAN AND BELGIAN OBSERVERS

FOR PALESTINE REACHES RHODES

(The following was received at UN Headquarters from the Press Officer with the UN

Mediator on Palestine, in Rhodes)

The first group of observers to serve in Palestine under the UN Mediator, Count Bernadotte, arrived in Rhodes at 6 P.M. GMT yesterday (20 July).  It included 41 Americans and about 25 Belgians.

The US personnel, who arrived in four C47's, which have been assigned to the United Nations, comprise 19 observers, 17 air crew men and 5 clerks.  The Belgians are observers.  The group may move to Palestine today.

All preparations have been made for comprehensive briefing of observers, who will also be given full instructions.  This will be a great improvement over the practice during the previous truce, when observers had to be sent into the field unbriefed.  This time all will be channelled through Rhodes for indoctrination.

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