RESOLUTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS OF THE LAST ARAB LEAGUE SESSION IN CAIRO

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R001400280009-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 10, 2001
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: March 29, 1948
• Content Type: REPORT

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LA3SWCPi Tr /BROX/
CENTRAL INTELL1GENC -bra NO.
COUNTRY Middle East
INFORMATION REPORT
CONFIDENTIAL
SUBJECT Resolutions aid Discussions of the -
Last Arab League Session in Cairo
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DATE DISTR. 29 March 1946
NO. OF' PAGES 8
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SUPPLEMENT TO -
REPORT NO.
38314
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25X1A 1.111111111,ate! Despite the fact that some of teie information has already
been reported ii the press and on the rad Lo this report is being di strebuted
en its entirety to present the complete picture
The Arab League Colwel1 held i ts first meeting at the 25X1A
chancery of the Egyptian Ministry for Foreign xairs under tfle G1iairanship
of His Excellency Riyad Bey Sulhe Prime Minister of Lebanon and head of the
Lebanese delegation, The meeting was attended by:
His Excellency Mahmud Fahmi Nuqrashi Pasha Primp Minister of Egypt and
head of the Egyptian delegation, with the Egyptian delegates;
His Excellency Jame) Mardam Bey, Prime Minister of Syria and head of the
Syrian delegation, with the Syrian eslegates;
Hadi Pachaehi Foreign Minister of Iraq, with the Iraqi delegates;
Sheikh Yusuf resin, representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;
easan Ibrahim, representative of the Trans-Jordan Hashimdte Kingdom;
All Mugayytd? representing the Kingdom of Yemen,.
Follow ine the opening of the session, the Council discussed the agenda,
headed by the Palestine oueetien, After this subject was discussed, it as
decidee to refer projects receive? by the Secretariat to the appropriate
committees either for discussion or for making the necessary recommendatione
eherefor, proveded that the Council would then debate and decide on theme,
The session then ended,
the geection of Estableshine a Paleetinian Government
e., On the afternoon of 3 February, the Arab League Political Committee,
;Mpr:Xing the Poreign Ministers of the Arab State e and their representatives.,
met at the chancery of the Foreign Office under the Chairmanship of H13
Fecellerey Reyad Bey Sulh, with Jandl Wardam Bey, Ahmed Khashaba Pasha,,
Yusuf a1, Alilbefeeeid, Hasan Ibrahim and Hadi Pachachi, es meeteree
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The Palestine question was then submitted for discussion. The
members listened to the statements of Abd al-Rahman Azzam? the Secretary
General, and to the viewpoints of the various representatives Of the
Arab states. Syria's delegate suggested the formation of a governmental
body in Palestine to deal with the political' military, economic and
administrative affairs of the whole of Palestine. This was opposed by
the Trans-Jordanian delegate, supported by the Iraqi representative, who
pointed out that the establishment of a Palestinian Government is to be
decided by a plebiscite of the people of Palestine and not by others.
After this proposal was discussed, it was decided to abandon it temporarily.
Representation of Palestine
3. A proposal was then submitted for discussion regarding Palestine's
representation in the Arab League. The debate bn this subject then developed
until the session ended without results. It was decided to reconvene on
the afternoon of 10 February,
?
4. The Political Committee net on the specified date, and the discussions
resumed their first line on the question of Palestine. It was decided, after
the debate, to invite General Ismail SafWat Pasha, in his capacity as
Commander of the Palestine Army of Liberation, who was in Cairo upon the
invitation of the League's Secretariat,to comment on the situation in
Palestine from the political and military standpoints. The Political
Committee found, after the General made his statements, that there were
undefined relations causing differences Of opinion among the members of the
Palestine Arab Higher Committee, the perpetuation of which wnuld weaken and
harm the Palestine cause. It was then unanimously-decided to clear the
atmosphere among the members of this body. It was also unanimously decided,
upon the proposal of the Syrian Government, to accept Palestine's representa-
tion at the meetings of the League's Council and its committees, because such
a measure would remove misunderstandings, coordinate the efforts of the
Arab countries, and strengthen their position vis-a-vis international opinionc
Differences on the Names of Palestine's Representatives
The differences reanpeared among the members of the Political Committee uhea
they discussed the names of the proposed representatives of Palestine to tha
League Council. The Trans-Jordanian delegation expressed opposition to and
consternation at the election of Hajj Amin Husayni as representative of
Palestine. He was supported by the Iraqi delegate. The intervention of
Riyad Sulh, Chairman of the Committeel,in -Lis matter prevented the development
of the differences among the members of the Political Committee, and they
relaxed their opposition to the acceptance of the Mufti. The meeting was
then adjourned.
Differences of the Members of the Arab Hither Committee
6. No sooner were the differences among the members of the Political Committee
in regard to the Mufti's candidacy about to be settled when new differences
appeared among the members of the Palestine Arab Higher Committee itself
concerning the recommendation of the Mufti as the representative for Palestine.
The differences in the viewpoints of the members of the Arab Committee
became clearly evident. After two consecutive meetings of the Political
Committee to settle these differences, the Committee was able to find
a settlement acceptable to the members of the Arab Higher Committee. Thereupon
the Political Committee adopted a recommendation for accepting the representa-
tion of Palestine at the meetings of Arab League Council, provided that the
Palestinian delegation be composed of Hajj Amin Husayni, Jamal Husayni and
Mulin Madhi.
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Palestinian Government or the Political Committee of the Arab Leapue
7* During the subsequent meeting of the Political Committee, discussions
were renewed on the creation of a governmental body for Palestine, or
a provisional body to supervise various Palestinian affairs until the
establishment of a Palestinian Government becomes possible in the bell ?
sense of the word. After debating this subject, it was, decided that the
Political Committee of the Arab League should have the right to supervise
various Palestinian affairs and be regarded as the sole body responsible
for everything relating to the Palestine question. The Committee passed
such a resolution and the meeting was then adjourned.
Military
8. The Political Committee met on the following day and discussed military
matters connected with the Palestine question. General Ismail Safwat
Pasha was asked, to attend and give his military views, such as the
unification of the body which would take charge of arms importation,
supervise the volunteer movement, and help provision the Argy of Liberation*
After listening to General Safest's statements, it was decided to form a
semi-regular army from volunteers released from regular forces of the Arab
countries, provided that the general command be entrusted to General Ismail
UfWat. The creation of a committee was also proposed, to be called the
Military Committee, and forMed from military bodies representing the various
'Arab countries, to be attached to the Political Committee and to submit
all its decisions to that Committee.' All the members approved this proposal,
but the Saudi Arabian delegate regretted that his country could not send a
representative to the Committee. His excuse was accepted and the Political
Committee adopted a resolution on these recommendations.
Members of the Military- Committee
54 The Military Committee was formed of General Ismail Safwat Pasha representing
Iraq; Subhi Khadra representing Palestine; Commandant Shawkat Shukayr
representing Lebanon; and Taha Herb Pasha, or whoever is delegated by the
Egyptian Chief of Staff, representing Egypt; and General Abd-al-Qadir Jundi
representing Trans-Jordan. This Committee is to meet in one of the Arab -
capitals under the chairmanship of Azzam Pasha or his representative when
it is found necessary to coordinate all Palestinian affairs.
Ealt. to Ilt_m,.Ams from Czechoslovakia
10. During the subsequent meetings of the Political Committee, the recommendations
of the Military Committee for providing arms for the Palestine Army of
Liberation and the places from which such arms could be obtained were
discussed*
4
110 These recommendations revealed that it was possible to obtain various types
of weapons from Czechoslovakia, which had offered large quantities of various
types of arms. But the Czechoslovak factories cannot effect the transactions
unless a legal government represents the importing country. After exchanging
views, on this matter, the delegate of the Syrian Government proposed that
the Syrian Government would conclude contracts with the Czechoslovak interested
parties to obtain the arms and ammunition necessary for the Palestine Army
of Liberation in the name of the Syrian Government. This proposal was
unanimously adopted and the Committee adopted a resolution therefor.
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Facilitating the Smuggling of Arms Into Palestine
12. After a discussion of the Military Committee's recommendation, the
Iraqi delegate made a proposal concerning the necessity for all the
Arab countries and their governments to take measures facilitating the
delivery of various types of arms to Palestine and to the Army of
Liberation. It was unanimously decided to accept this proposal and a
resolution was adopted therefor.
The Question of Contributions and the Lebanese Government
13d. The question of contributions and assistance to Palestine was submitted
to the Political ommittee for discussion. After this question was dis-
cussed, the members of the Committee found out that the only country which
did its duty toward Palestine and to the Arab League Council from the
standpoint of contributions and the payment of its share to the League
was the Lebanese Government. The Committee then adopted a resolution to
the effect that the Arab League Council should take the necessary decision,
urging each Arab country which is a member of the League to do its duty
to Palestine and to the League Council.
Decisions of th2.15111TaEfT21J1Ellnlme_222/2.9.11_
1h. When the Political Committee discontinued its meetings, the League. Council
held a second session during which the decisions of the Political Committee
were submitted for discussion*
The Council finally decided the following:
a. Palestine's Representation on the League's Council
It was decided to accept the representation of Palestine in the
meetings of the Arab League Council and to convey this decision
to the Palestine Arab Higher Committee, provided that the Palestine
delegation shall have the right to join the debates of the League
Council without the right to vote on the decisions taken therein.
Following this decision and its transmittal to the Arab Higher Commiltee,
the Palestinian delegation was immediately formed with Ha Amin Husayni
as President, and Jamal Husayni, Mulin Madhi, Rafiq Tamimi, and Emile
Khuri as members. The delegates then entered the meeting hall and as
soon as the Palestinian delegates took their seats, Riyad Sulh, the
Chairman of the Council, made a speech welcoming the Mufti and the
members of the Palestinian delegation; he referred to the high aims
which the Arab League was endeavoring to attain for maintaining the
Arabism and independence of Palestine. The Mufti answered him,
thanking the Arab League for its continued efforts and for its
assistance to the Arabs of Palestineb
b. The Abandonment of the Formation of a Palestine Government
The Council decided to abandon the creation of a Pale-
Government and to regard the Political Committee of the Arab League
as temporarily acting in the place of ouch a Government. Thus it will
represent Palestine and will be solely responsible for decisions
relating to the Palestine question until it becomes possible to establish a
Government chosen by the people of Palestine.
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c? Military Committee
The formation of a Military Committee for Palestine was
decided upon, comprising Military representatives from all
the Arab countries, to operate together with the Political
Committee and to refer its decisions to the last-mentioned
Committee.
d, Purchase of Arms from Czechoslovakia
It was decided to purchase arms and ammunition needed by
the Palestine Army of Liberation from Czechoslovakia,
provided that the transactions would be effected in the name
of the Syrian Government,
So Facilitating Smuggling of Arms into Palestine
The recommendations of the Military Committee for facilitating
the smuggling of arms and ammunition to the Palestine Am; of
Liberation from the various Arab countries were approved.
Petroleum Agreements
15, After completing the decisions on the recommendations of the Political
Committee there was submitted for discussion the question of canceling
petroleum agreements and economic treaties concluded between the Arab
countries and the powers supporting the partition of Palestine.
A sharp debate ensued on the subject, during which the Palestinian
delegation urged the necessity oftaking a unanimous decision on this
matter, because it would stop the partition plan,
16. King Ibn Saudis delegate opposed this motion and adhered to his
previous stand on this proposall'citing the economic injuries from
which his country would suffer and because His Majesty King Ibn Saud
feels that the American companies have nothing to do with political matters.
He said that there were Arab countries which have not abrogated their
economic and petroleum treaties with the posers supporting partition.
He demanded that these posers take the initiative. He was supported by
the delegate of the Syrian Government who proposed that it was the
right of Saudi Arabia to cancel any concessions given to American companies
on the basis of the principle adopted at the Havana Conference, The
Saudi Arabian delegate, however, opposed this proposal and no decision was
therefore taken thereon, In this connection, the Syrian delegate
suggested that no economic or petroleum agreement be signed with any
foreign country supporting partition from now on. This proposal
was then unanimously adopted.
Negative Attitude toward America
3.7, Here the Syrian delegate deemed it advisable to propose the adoption
of a negative attitude toward American petroleum and economic interests
in the various Arab countries until the American Government changed its
attitude toward partition, provided that the Arab countries implement
this decision from the date of its adoption and that this be recommended
to League member states. The Council unanilously decided upon the
adoption of this proposal and its conveyance to those concerned after
it was debated and Supported by the representatives of Iraq, Trans-Jordan
and Palestine.
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18. At the request of the Lebanese delegate the question of Tapline
was then submitted for discussion as well as that of the construction
of pipelines across Trans-Jordan or Egypt in the event that the
Syrian Government refuses to permit the passage of pipelines through
its territories.
19. After debating this proposal, the Council adopted a unanimous
resolution providing that the Arab states adhere to one policy toward
petroleum matters, especially toward this coLvany. This project
should not be discussed nor accepted prior to receiving the approval
of all the Arab countries unless the American Government ceased its
support for partition. In this last event, the Syrian and Lebanese
Governments would have the right to benefit from the passage of the
aforementioned oil pipelines through their territories.
The Volunteering of Foreigners in the Palestine Army of Liberation
20. The proposal of the Palestine delegation which provides for the acceptance
of foreign volunteers in the Arab Army of Liberation was then submitted.
After a brief debate, this proposal was unanimously-adopted. The
meeting was then adjourned, to reconvene later for the purpose of
examining the recommendations which might be received by the Secretariat.
Recommsnda of Cultural Committee to League Council
25X1A 21. the League Council reconvened at the chancery of the
gyrWRRTeianfp Office. At the opening of the session, His Excellency
the Chairman of the Council announced the death of His Majesty Imam Yahys,
King of Yemen* He said: Maith deep regret I announce to you the death of
His Majesty, the King of Yemen. I can but mention the Imam's strong
faith and Arab pride. He struggled and fought against every foreigner
who wanted to conquer and exploit his country. He resisted all the
forces which gathered against him, thus saving the Arabism of this
part of the Arab world.' His Excellency then concluded his eulogy
by that the Council's meeting be suspended five minutes in His
Majesty's memory. Thereupon, Ali al-Mulayyld, Yemen's delegate,
thanked the Council for its _sentiments toward Yemen and toward its
departed sovereign.
22. This was followed by the submission to the Council of the recommendations
of the Cultural Committee, the aims of which are as follows:
a. Unification of CurrieulafortI___
The Council decided to approve the decisions of the Cultural
Committee which aim at unifying the curricula for the Arab
language, history, geography, and archaeology*
Arab News Comm
The Council adopted the ilea of establishing a company for Arab
news and of attempting to ensure its Success,
co Refugees
The Council also looked into thequestion of refugees from all
over the world and referred it to the member states for study,
provided that the results of such study be submitted at the next
session of the League*,
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d. Economic Coordination
The Council approved the question of economic coordination
with the UN, provided that this be realized within the limits
explained to the representatives of the League states at the UN*
e. Unification of the Currency
The 'Council deemed it advisable to refer this recommendation to
the League's Secretariat General with the hope of studying it with
technical experts and in the light of pertinent reports.
23. Recommendations of the Political Committee
a. Tax for the Destitute of Palestine
The Council decided to refer the Committee's recommendation
for the imposition of a tax for the destitute of Palestine
to the member states, so that each one of them may implement
this recommendation. ?
b. Popular Contributions for the Aid of Palestine s
The Council heard the Committee's decision which urges the Arab
Governments to supervise popular contributions collected in their
countries for the aid of Palestine and to give them the proper
direction. All such contributions must be remitted to the Palestine
aid fund in the Secretariat General, and its use must be subject to
the rules governing the use of other funds allotted for the assistance
of Palestine. Contributions made for special purposes will be
credited to a special account which will be opened by the Secretariat
General.
The Question of Libya
24, The Council adopted the recommendation of the Political Committee
confirming its former resolutions for the unity of the three parts (Barge,
Tripoli, Fezzan) of Libya, its complete independence, and for the formation
of a 'committee by the Secretariat General to submit a memorandum
embodying the League's views to the Investigating Committee.
The Question of the Maghreb
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111110!_ete: This probably refers to all French North Africa 'not
us rocco.
25. The Council expressed its regret because the powers controlling the Maghreb
have not taken positive steps toward recognizing the rights of the
people of the Maghreb. It also expressed regret over the bloody incidents
which take place fram time to time. The Council will endeavor to help
them in realizing their aims, to extend every possible assistance and
to appropriate adequate suns for combating the famine in these parts*
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The Press
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26. The Council decided that the governments should adopt the necessary
legislation and administrative measures to prevent the publication
of news on the defense of Palestine in the press, except those
announced by the apprOpriate authorities.
Conclusion of Last Arab League Session
27. His Excellency, the Chairman of the Council, then announced
the conclusion of the seventh ordinary terms during which he said
that the Council had recorded most of its chapters With courage and
energy.
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