Consideration of Chairman’s working paper “The basic requirements of the international regime” – UNCCP’s Cttee on Jerusalem 3rd mtg – Summary record

COMMITTEE ON JERUSALEM

SUMMARY RECORD OF THE THIRD MEETING

Held in Jerusalem on 4 March at 2.30 p.m.

I. Consideration of Working Paper prepared by the Chairman (Com. Jer/W.1)

During its third meeting, the Committee began its discussion .of a Working Paper prepared by the Chairman, and considered points A, B and C of Part I, “Basic Requirements of the International Regime”.

The CHAIRMAN re-emphasized that the Working Paper was to be regarded only as a basis for discussion and that its purpose was to clarify and unify the basic attitude of the Committee itself. It was not intended to be the draft of a paper to be submitted to outside parties. The object of Part I was to translate the provisions concerning Jerusalem of the General Assembly resolution into a series of principles, which in turn could be expanded into a Statute for the Jerusalem area; Part II was an elaboration of Part I.

Point I A. It was agreed that Point I-A should more appropriately be expressed as follows: “The international area of Jerusalem shall be governed by the authorities and organs hereafter denominated.” There was general agreement that since various alternative plans could be devised for the internationalisation of Jerusalem in accordance with the Assembly’s Resolution, it was desirable at this stage to avoid rigid formulas.

Point I-B. It was felt that the term “United Nations Authority” should be used until the Committee d clearer conception of the exact functions and duties of that authority.

Point I-B 1. It was stressed that point raised the whole question of the force needed to back up the Authority of the United Nations and that the Committee must in due course consider whether to recommend the establishment of such a force and if so, whether it should be a small token force or a body actually dealing with disorders.

Point I-B 2. The Committee decided that it was more appropriate to speak of “distinctive” rather than of “minority” groups.

Point I-B 3. With regard to common public services, it was stressed that the role of the United Nations authority would be to regulate, but not to operate such services.

Point I-B 4. There was some discussion of the relationship between the United Nations authority and the administrations in connection with such matters as accreditation of diplomatic and consular representatives, passports and visas, and formalities for persons entering Jerusalem.

Point I-C. There was considerable discussion of the nature, competence and functions of the suggested international judiciary and its relationship to such organs of appeal as the Trusteeship and Security Councils. The Committee decided to continue the discussion of this question when it came to the examination of Point E of Part II of the Working Paper.

II. Consultations with interested parties

The Committee was informed that the Israeli Mayor of Jerusalem and certain Arab authorities were anxious to present statements of views to it. The Committee decided to begin consultations with municipal representatives of the Jerusalem area during the course of the following week. There was general agreement that the purpose of consultations with local representatives would be to enable the Committee to ascertain local opinion and to benefit from local experience, but that negotiations should be left to the consultations which would take place between the Committee and the representatives of the two most interested Governments. It was noted that the Beirut Conference would provide the Committee with an opportunity to consult with, other interested Government.

III. Plan of work

As regards the Committee’s general plan of work, the point was stressed that no useful purpose would be served by reporting to the General Assembly during the General Assembly during the second part of its third session opening in April, unless a plan acceptable to the parties concerned had been devised before then.