501.BB Palestine/5–2748: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
720. Secretariat released on May 27 following suggested draft of UK resolution (final form to be circulated later):
“The SC
Desiring to bring about a cessation of hostilities in Palestine without prejudice to the rights, claims and position of either Arabs or Jews,
Calls upon both parties to order a cessation of all acts of armed force for a period of four weeks,
Calls upon both parties to undertake that they will not introduce fighting personnel or men of military age into Palestine during the cease-fire,
Calls upon both parties and upon all governments to refrain from importing war material into Palestine during the cease-fire,
Urges both parties to take every possible precaution for the protection of the holy places and of the city of Jerusalem,
Instructs the UN mediator for Palestine in concert with the Truce Commission to supervise the observance of the above provisions, and decides that they shall be provided with a sufficient number of military observers,
Instructs the UN mediator to make contact with both parties as soon as the cease-fire is in force with a view to making recommendations to the SC about an eventual settlement for Palestine,
Calls upon all concerned to give the greatest possible assistance to the UN mediator,
Instructs the UN mediator to make a weekly report to the SC during the cease-fire,
Invites the states members of the Arab League and the Jewish and Arab authorities in Palestine to communicate their acceptance of this resolution to the SC within (a short period to be stated),
Decides that if the present resolution is rejected by either party or by both, the present situation in Palestine will be reconsidered with a view to action under Chapter VII of the Charter.”1
- For the revised text of the British resolution submitted to the Security Council on May 29, see SC, 3rd yr., Supplement for May 1948, p. 102.↩