Letters to Jordan and Israel on proposed Special Committee; meeting with UNRWA – UNCCP 178th meeting (Jerusalem) – Summary Record

UNITED NATIONS CONCILIATION COMMISSION FOR PALESTINE

SUMMARY RECORD OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-EIGHTH MEETING

Held at Government House, Jerusalem,
on 23 August, 1950 at 11 a.m.

1. Commission’s attitude towards false press reports

Mr. ARAS (Turkey) wished to draw the Commission’s attention to statement printed in the Jordan daily “Sawt Falastin” of 20 August, and alleged to have been made by him. He stated that this report was completely false and he wished to request the Press Officer to issue a formal denial. He was of the opinion that any clear case of a misreport or misrepresentation concerning the Commission which appeared in the press should be dealt with at once, as the publishing of prompt denials was inclined to have a salutary effect.

The Press Officer was therefore requested to hand a formal denial the Director of the Jordan Press Office in Jerusalem. A copy of this denial was also to be sent to the Director of the Nations Information Office in Cairo.

With reference to the press reports concerning his relations with the Lebanese Government, the CHAIRMAN told. the Commission that he had been ready to issue a denial, but the Lebanese Government had very promptly taken that step and had, in addition, broadcast a complete refutation over the radio. He had therefore felt it advisable to address an official letter to the Lebanese Charge d’Affaires in Amman — who had called on him to inform him of the steps taken by the Lebanese Government — expressing his appreciation of their prompt action.

2. Proposed letter to the Jordan and Israel Governments concerning the Special Committee.

Mr. de BOISANGER (France) said he had been concerned about the thought that the Commission would leave Jerusalem without shown in a practical way its interest in the reconstitution of the Special Committee provided for in Article VIII of the Rhodes Armistice Agreement between Israel and Jordan. He suggested that the Commission send a letter to both these Governments expressing its satisfaction at the setting up of the Special Committee and informing them that the Commission, while not, of course, envisaging taking any active part in the work of the Committee, would be ready to offer its good offices at any time that the two parties considered its assistance would be useful. Mr. de Boisanger had prepared a tentative draft letter for consideration by the Commission. He felt, however, that both sides should be carefully sounded before a decision was taken as to the desirability of sending such a letter.

Mr. ARAS (Turkey) agreed with Mr. de Boisanger’s remarks. He suggested that perhaps the Commission might, in order to avoid giving the appearance of singling out Jordan from. the other Arab States, address a letter to all the Arab Governments, saying that it felt that such contacts between the parties, even if restricted to the discussion of specific items of minor importance, tended to create a better atmosphere.

During discussion, it was pointed out that the Commission should be careful to avoid giving the impression that it was reviving the idea of Mixed Committees, which had already been rejected by the Arab Governments. It was felt that at this time the Commission should confine itself to offering its good offices to Israel and Jordan, as by approaching the other Arab States it would be inviting a rebuff.

It was decided to postpone further consideration of this matter.

3. Commission’s next meeting with UNRWA.

The Secretariat was requested to prepare a draft agenda for the Commission’s meeting with UNRWA.

The CHAIRMAN pointed out that UNRWA was under an obligation to submit a report to the General Assembly, whereas the Commission was not. While he felt that the Commission was not yet in a position to decide whether or not to submit any recommendations to the General Assembly, it would be extremely helpful to have some idea of the lines along which UNRWA would report.

It was felt that the Commission might make some limited recommendations concerning the refugee question, which was already on the agenda of the General Assembly. If the Commission found itself in agreement with the views of UNRWA on this subject it might confine itself to supporting any specific recommendations made by that Agency.

4. General Report.

A discussion took place as to the form which the second section of the General Report should take.

The view was expressed by Mr. de BOISANGER (France) that it might be divided into two chapters: the first merely giving a factual account of the Commission’s discussions with the various Governments, and the second giving a clear and candid picture of the present situation, in the light of the Commission’s interpretation of those discussions.

The meeting rose at 11.50 a.m.