UN Palestine Commission – Urgent matters – Letter from United Kingdom

19 April 1948

UNITED NATIONS PALESTINE COMMISSION

Communication Received from-United Kingdom

Delegation Relating to Certain Urgent Matters

in Commission’s Letter of  9 April.

The following communication relating to urgent matters outlined in the Commission’s letter of 9 April, 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,

May I refer to my letter of the 12th April in which I furnished yet with certain preliminary comments on the matters raised in your letter to me of the 9th April.

2. I am now in a position to convey to you for the information of the Commission certain additional observations which have been received from His Majesty’s Government.

3. As regards the point raised under the head (A) Security (1), the text of the Directive for the General Officer Commanding will be communicated to the Commission in due course. It is not proposed that there should be any consultations with the Commission as suggested in your letter.

4. As regards the point raised under the heading (B)(4), the main objective of the General Officer Commanding in Palestine after the 15th May will be the withdrawal and evacuation of British Forces and for this purpose his requirements will have to take priority as regards the use of Haifa Port. Subject to these requirements, however, the General Officer Commanding will conduct the evacuation with due regard to the welfare of the civilian population and the economy of the country.

5. As regards the point raised under the heading (C) (3), a communication will be addressed to the Commission in due course.

6. As regards the point raised under the heading (C) (7), a letter relating to the general financial position and the assets and liabilities of the Government of Palestine will be communicated to the Commission in due course.

7. As regards the point raised under the heading (C) (8), the question of payment for services to British Forces in Palestine must naturally depend on whether and by whom the services in question are furnished. His Majesty’s Government would be glad to learn the arrangements which the Commission contemplate for the continued functioning of these services. Failing such arrangements by the Commission, the General Officer Commanding might be compelled to make good the deficiency in these services and the benefit accruing thereby to the civil population would, in the opinion of His Majesty’s Government, form a proper charge against the successor authority.

Yours sincerely,

J. Fletcher-Cooke (signed)

Dr. Ralph J. Bunche,

Principal Secretary to the United Nations

Palestine Commission.