UN Palestine Commission – Food supplies for Palestine – Letter from United Kingdom

26 April 1948

UNITED NATIONS PALESTINE COMMISSION

Communication Received from United Kingdom

Delegation Concerning Food Supplies for

Palestine

The following communication, concerning food supplies for Palestine after 15 May, has been received from Mr. Fletcher-Cooke of the United Kingdom Delegation.

UNITED KINGDOM DELEGATION TO THE UNITED NATIONS

Empire State Building

New York 1, N.Y.

My dear Bunche,

In continuation of my letter of the 20th April, regarding Food Supplies for Palestine, I have been asked to bring to the notice of the Commission the following points:-

(1) As already stated in previous correspondence, it now appears that the arrangements mentioned in paragraphs 18 and 19 of the Commission’s Second Special Report to the Security Council (The Food Situation in Palestine), whereby food imports will be financed by local interests in conjunction with Steel Brothers, have now been concluded and that these arrangements appear to cover both Jewish and Arab requirements.

(2) In view of the steps being taken by Steel Brothers to open irrevocable credits in London in respect of wheat flour, the Ministry of Food are proceeding with arrangements for the supply of 26,000 tons for the period up to the 30th June, 1948.

(3) As already stated in paragraph 4 of my letter of the 20th April, the Government of Palestine is now satisfied that the future position in respect of sugar is adequately safeguarded by shipments afloat and due to be loaded,

(4) There would appear to be no reason why Palestine’s requirements in respect of meats and oils should not be covered by procurement by Steel Brothers, acting on behalf of local Jewish and Arab interests, with the advice of the Ministry of Food.

2. As regards your letter of the 15th April relating to the appointment by the Commission of a member of the Secretariat to act as Liaison Officer to the United Kingdom Food Mission in Washington, the position is as follows:-

(1) The United Kingdom Food Mission is being asked to inform the Secretary of the International Emergency Food Council that in view of the termination of the Mandate, the United Kingdom representative will not include Palestine’s requirements in the United Kingdom requirements for the second half of the year 1948.

(2) At the same time, the United Kingdom Food Mission are being asked to invite the International Emergency Food Council to consider appropriate measures for ensuring that Palestine’s requirements for the future appear on the agenda.

(3) In the meanwhile, His Majesty’s Government agree to the proposal by the Commission for liaison between the Commission and the United Kingdom Food Mission in order to ensure that Palestine’s requirements appear on the Agenda.

(4) It should, however, be understood that the Commission will be responsible for any figures submitted to the Council.

(5) It is presumed that these liaison arrangements will require the assent of the Council.

Very sincerely,

/s/ John Fletcher-Cooke

(J. Fletcher-Cooke)

Dr. Ralph J. Bunche,

Principal Secretary to the United Nations

Commission on Palestine,

United Nations, Lake Success.