UN Palestine Commission – Discussions in London/Advance Party re. advance party arriving in Palestine before expiration of the Mandate – Letter from United Kingdom

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10 February 1948

UNITED NATIONS PALESTINE COMMISSION

Communication to the Chairman from Sir Alexander
 Cadogan Concerning the Commission’s Plans for
 London and an Advance Party.

The following communication was received on 9 February 1948 by the Chairman from Sir Alexander Cadogan:

“February 9, 1948

Dear M. Lisicky,

(i) With reference to discussions that have taken place about the plans of the Commission, I have been instructed to inform you that my Government would welcome an opportunity for discussions with members of the Commission in London;

(ii) that all reasonable facilities will be given for a nucleus of the Commission’s staff to visit Palestine in advance of May 1st. (It is requested that as much notice as possible should be given of any proposed visit).

I am further to inform the Commission, in strict confidence that the discussion in London may cover, inter alia, the question whether the Commission should proceed to Palestine before May 1st.

I should be grateful if you would inform me as soon as possible of the Commission’s plans in the light of these suggestions:

It may also be useful to you to know that, as reported in the press today, the Secretary of State for the Colonies of the United Kingdom is coming to New York in order to attend the expected discussions of the Palestine question in the Security Council. He is expected to arrive on Sunday, February 15th.

Yours sincerely,

(Sgd.) Alexander Cadogan

Monsieur Lisicky,

Chairman, United Nations Commission

on Palestine

United Nations

Lake Success, L.I.”