UNCCP’s Identical letters sent to Israel; Egypt; Jordan; Lebanon and Syria regarding the Comprehensive Proposals – Letter from UNCCP

UNITED NATIONS CONCILIATION COMMISSION FOR PALESTINE

Letter dated 6 October 1951 addressed by the Chairman of the Conciliation Commission

to the Delegation of Israel and to the Delegations of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria

Sir,

In submitting to the delegations of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria and to the delegation of Israel a comprehensive pattern of proposals towards a solution of outstanding questions, the Conciliation Commission for Palestine, both in its opening statement to the delegations and in its comprehensive proposals, emphasized the importance of a reaffirmation of the undertakings of the parties as signatories to the Armistice Agreements and as United Nations Members.

In the preamble to its comprehensive proposals, the Commission recommended that this reaffirmation be given in the following form:

“In accordance with the obligations of States Members of the United Nations and of signatories to Armistice Agreements, the Governments of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria and the Government of Israel solemnly affirm their intention and undertake to settle all differences, present or future, solely by resort to pacific procedures, refraining from any use of force or acts of hostility, with full respect for the right of each party to security and freedom from fear of attack, and by these means to promote the return of peace in Palestine.”

On 21 September, in reply to the Chairman’s opening statement, the delegation of Israel informed the Commission that, as a first step towards the achievement of peace, it was willing to subscribe to a declaration such as that indicated in the opening statement. Subsequently the delegation of Israel suggested that this affirmation by the parties of their pacific intentions take the form of a non-aggression pact (attached to this letter as Annex A).

On 3 October 1951 the delegations of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria assured the Conciliation Commission of their desire to promote the establishment of an atmosphere necessary for continuance of the Commission’s work and to facilitate the pacific settlement of the Palestine problem; to that end they submitted the declaration attached to this letter as Annex B.

The Conciliation Commission is aware of the disparity between the formulations suggested by the parties. However, the Commission considers that the parties, by offering these formulations, have contributed to the creation of a favourable atmosphere for the present discussions, and for the promotion of the return of permanent peace in Palestine.

In the opinion of the Commission, those formulations constitute a basis for the consideration of its comprehensive pattern of proposals. The Commission is accordingly ready to proceed with consideration of its proposals with the delegations.

Please accept, Sir the renewed assurances of my high consideration.

(signed) Ely E. Palmer

Chairman

ANNEX A

Draft of non-aggression pact between the Government of Israel and each of the Governments of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria,
submitted to the Conciliation Commission by the Delegation of Israel on 28 September 1951

The Government of Israel and……….

Desirous of further promoting the return of peace and to that end of extending the scope of the General Armistice Agreement concluded between them at……….on……….in response to action taken by the Security Council as a further provisional measure under Article 40 of the United Nations Charter by removing all reasonable grounds of fear and suspicion as to their mutual intentions have agreed on the following provisions.

Article I

The two Governments in accordance with the obligations incumbent upon them by virtue of their membership of the United Nations solemnly affirm their intention and undertake to settle all differences presently existing or arising in the future between them solely by resort to pacific procedures and bind themselves to refrain from any acts of hostility whatsoever and from any threat or use of force in their reciprocal relations.

Article II

The right of each party to its security and freedom from fear of attack or hostile act by the other is recognized and shall be fully respected. It is further agreed that no warlike act or act of hostility shall be conducted from the territory of either party to this agreement against the other party. Each party undertakes not to enter in any alliance or participate in any action directed against the other.

Article III

The present, agreement is supplemental to and in no wise derogates from the General-Agreement signed at the provisions of which full force and effect.

Article IV

This agreement shall come into force on the date of its signature. It shall be ratified and the instruments of ratification exchanged at Paris in presence of the Palestine Conciliation Commission not later than thirty days after the date hereof.

Article V

This agreement is signed in quintuplicate. One copy shall be retained by each party; two copies shall forthwith be communicated to the United Nations Secretary-General for transmission to the Security Council and to the Chief of Staff of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in Palestine; and one copy shall be retained by the Palestine Conciliation Commission.

In faith whereof the undersigned representatives of the contracting parties, duly authorized by their respective Governments have signed this agreement and affixed their seals.

Done in the City of Paris in the presence of the Palestine Conciliation Commission on……….day of……….in the year of……….in English, French, Hebrew and Arabic languages each authentic.

ANNEX B

Draft Declaration

submitted to the Conciliation Commission on 3 October 1951 by the Delegations of Egypt, Jordan Lebanon and Syria

The delegations of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria declare that their respective Governments, as signatories to the Armistice Agreements with the Government of Israel, desirous of promoting the establishment of the atmosphere necessary for the continuance of the work of the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine, and with a view to facilitating the pacific settlement of the Palestine problem in accordance with the United Nations resolutions, reaffirm their intention to respect their undertakings given in the said Agreements, not to resort to military force in the settlement of the Palestine question and to respect the right of each party to its security and freedom from fear of attack by the armed forces of the other.

Issued also as AR/58