Cablegram Dated 16 July 1948 From the United Nations Mediator (Bernadotte) to the Arab States and to the Provisional Government of Israel Concerning the Security Council Resolution of 15 July1
Third paragraph of the resolution on the cease-fire and truce in Palestine adopted by the Security Council on 15 July at its 338th meeting provides that the cease-fire is “to take effect at a time to be determined by the Mediator, but in any event not later than three days from the date of the adoption of this resolution”.
In pursuance of this provision of the resolution and following consultations at Lake Success, I wish to notify you that the date and hour on which the cease-fire is to be effective is 3 p. m. GMT, Sunday, 18 July 1948. In order that each party may be informed of the intentions of the other, will you be so kind as to confirm to me this issuance of the cease-fire orders in accordance with the decision above noted at my Rhodes headquarters at the earliest possible moment.
Eighth paragraph of the resolution “instructs the Mediator to supervise the observance of the truce”.
In order that there shall be no misunderstanding regarding the discharge of my responsibilities in the supervision of the truce, I take this opportunity to inform you that, although I will do my utmost to establish and put into operation a system of observers as quickly as possible, I cannot ensure that the functioning of this system, in view of the short time available, will coincide with the effective date of the truce. It is my earnest hope that both parties will undertake to observe scrupulously both the letter and the spirit of the truce. I will, of course, give advance notice and at the earliest possible moment, of [Page 1227] the institution of the system of supervision, and of the arrival of the observers and their equipment at the observation posts.
- Reprinted from SC, 3rd yr., Supplement for July 1948, p. 80.↩