Office of the Historian

501.BB Palestine/9–249: Telegram

Mr. Stuart W. Rockwell to the Secretary of State

restricted
Lausanne, September 2, 1949—10 p. m.

Palun 296. PCC September 1 sent Jerusalem statute to SYG.1 September 2 submitted to parties draft declaration on holy places outside Jerusalem and sent copy to SYG. September 2 also adopted draft terms reference for survey group as submitted by USDel on basis Department’s suggestions.

Rockwell
  1. The text of the transmitting letter of September 1 and the “Draft Instrument Establishing a Permanent International Regime for the Jerusalem Area” are printed in United Nations, Official Records of the Fourth Session of the General Assembly, Ad Hoc Political Committee, Annex to the Summary Records of Meetings, Annex, vol. i, p. 10. The Draft Instrument provided for four principle organs to govern the area of Jerusalem: a Commissioner to represent the United Nations in the area who would ensure the protection of and free access to the Holy Places, supervise the permanent demilitarization and neutralization of the area and ensure the protection of human rights and the rights of distinctive groups; a General Council; an International Tribunal; and a Mixed Tribunal. The area of Jerusalem was to be physically divided into a “Jewish zone” and an “Arab zone.” All matters not reserved to the four principal organs were to remain within the competence of the responsible Jewish and Arab authorities in each of the zones.

    The Palestine Conciliation Commission, on November 9, issued a statement in reply to critical comments on the Draft Instrument. The statement noted that the plan was “based on the present division of the City” and left “to the Governments of the adjoining States virtually all normal powers of government within the Arab and Jewish parts of Jerusalem respectively and makes it possible for them to retain or alter the present local administrations without hindrance from outside. Provision is made, however, for limited measures designed to protect the proper interests of the international community in Jerusalem and to facilitate peaceful relations and normal intercourse between the authorities and inhabitants of the Arab and Jewish parts of the divided City.” The full text of the Commission’s statement is printed in ibid., p. 15.

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