Armistice negotiations, Commission’s travel arrangements – UNCCP 8th Meeting – Summary record

UNITED NATIONS CONCILIATION COMMISSION FOR PALESTINE

SUMMARY RECORD OF THE EIGHTH MEETING

Held at the King David Hotel, Jerusalem,
on 31 January 1949, at 6 p.m.

* Alternate

Report by Mr. Russell Cook on his return from Rhodes

Referring to the armistice negotiations, Mr. COOK informed the Commission of his favourable impression, but said that he had nothing special to report.

Thereafter he transmitted to the Commission the negative reply from Dr. Bunche with regard to the possibility of using the latter’s aircraft for the Commission’s projected visits to the Arab countries and to Israel. Dr. Bunche had explained that, according to the latest information which he had received from Amman, armistice negotiations might be expected to open between Israel and Transjordan, and the Transjordan Government had expressed the wish that the transport of its delegates might be arranged by the Mediator.

The members of the Commission regretted this negative reply by Dr. Bunche and made no secret of the bad impression it had made upon them.

Mr. COOK made a long statement concerning arrangements enabling the Commission to have an aircraft of its own as from 15 February 1949.