Office of the Historian

IO Files: US/A/AC.14/SC.1/8

Statement by the United States Representative in Sub-Committee 1 of the “Ad Hoc” Committee on the Palestinian Question

[New York,] November 4, 1947.

Mr. Chairman: I should like at this time to make a brief statement regarding implementation and the transitional period.

It is clear from the report of the Special Committee on Palestine and from statements of various Representatives in the Ad Hoc Committee that there is general agreement with respect to early termination of the Mandate. It is also clear from statements made by the United Kingdom Delegation that its Government regards the early termination of the Mandate and withdrawal of its forces and administration as desirable.

The UNSCOP Report recommends a two-year transitional period starting September 1947. There have been suggestions, however, that it might be possible to shorten the time between the recommendation of the General Assembly and the Independence of the two States. The U.S. Delegation feels that early independence is not only feasible but desirable. Furthermore, we believe that the date for independence can be so fixed that the Mandatory Power may, upon withdrawing, turn over all governmental responsibility, including responsibility for the maintenance of law and order, to the authorities of the Arab and the Jewish States. This would obviate the necessity for a separate transitional period under a trusteeship or other arrangement, and for the establishment of a special United Nations force for the maintenance of law and order.

If this idea of simultaneous termination of the Mandate and independence of the two states is adopted by the Subcommittee, certain changes in the UNSCOP Report, such as the deletion of all reference to a “transitional period”, will have to be made. I would suggest, therefore, Mr. Chairman, that the Subcommittee discuss and come to a conclusion on this suggestion, and that, if it is favorably considered, we immediately begin work on the necessary detailed changes in the [Page 1238] plan contained in the UNSCOP Report. My Delegation is prepared to present specific proposals for your consideration.

My Delegation does not presume to set a definitive date for the attainment of independence in Palestine but would suggest that July 1, 1948 may be a suitable date for working purposes.

In the view of my Delegation, the steps leading to independence should take place with the advice and assistance of the General Assembly. For this purpose we believe that the General Assembly should establish a United Nations Commission, headed by a High Commissioner, to advise and assist in the transfer of the powers of government from the Mandatory Power to the two independent states and to the proposed trust territory of this City of Jerusalem and in the establishment of the new units of government on a stable basis.