Mtg. w/ the Saudi Foreign Minister re. refugees, Jerusalem, Holy Places and negotiations – UNCCP – Summary record

UNITED NATIONS CONCILIATION COMMISSION FOR PALESTINE

SUMMARY RECORD OF A MEETING BETWEEN

THE CONCILIATION COMMISSION AND HIS

HIGHNESS EMIR FEYSAL, MINISTER FOR

FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF SAUDI ARABIA

held at Jedda, on 16 February 1949.

After some words of welcome by the Foreign Minister, the CHAIRMAN made a brief statement on the mission of peace entrusted by the Assembly to the Commission, mentioning its particular responsibilities concerning refugees, Jerusalem and the Holy Places.

The FOREIGN MINISTER wished to refer particularly to the refugee question, not only because of its particular interest from the humanitarian and political point of view, but also because, in his opinion, this question could easily be considered at once and apart from the other problems with which the Commission would be obliged to deal in its general negotiations for peace. Furthermore, the settlement of this problem would tend to soothe the temper of the people and make conciliation easier.

The CHAIRMAN called the attention of the Foreign Minister to the difficulty of separating the question of refugees from the rest of the questions outstanding between the interested parties. Any solution of the question of the refugees would be valueless if the war were to start again. On the other hand, negotiations were practically impossible as long as the different parties to be reconciled were scattered over a great part of the world: it was essential for them to send delegations to one place where negotiations could be conducted in a reasonable way.

Mr. de BOISANGER developed and emphasized these points, namely the necessity of general negotiations covering the whole of the questions to be settled and adjusted, and also the necessity of bringing all the interested parties together in one place in order to make negotiations practically possible.

The FOREIGN MINISTER replied that although he did not know the opinion of the other Arab countries as regards the idea of a general meeting with the Commission on the question of refugees, he, personally, agreed that it would be helpful and convenient. He announced his intention of getting in touch.

As the Minister had mentioned the constant disrespect shown by the Jews to the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Security Council, Mr. ETHRIDGE asked whether he was referring to the resolutions concerning refugees.

The FOREIGN MINISTER replied that he was thinking of the resolutions adopted by the Security Council on 4 and 16 November 1948 relating to an armistice.

Mr. ETHRIDGE, speaking not only as a member of the Commission but also as are representative of the United States, then explained the efforts mace by himself and his Government to bring the Rhodes negotiations to a successful conclusion.

The FOREIGN MINISTER thanked Mr. Ethridge for his words and wished the Commission success in its task of bringing peace and justice to Palestine.