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Under (b) the Commission listed the following matters as requiring an urgent solution irrespective of the ultimate decision of the General Assembly and the future government of Palestine : (i) Security: The functions and responsibilities of British troops remaining in Palestine after 15th May ; arrangements for the transfer of the arms of the Palestine Police Force ; the security of Jerusalem and the holy places; the preservation of the assets of the Government of Palestine. (ii) Administration : Arrangements to ensure continuity of essential transportation and communications; health and prison administration ; the Judiciary ; preservation of Government records ; access to Haifa after 15th May. (iii) Economic and Financial Matters : Importation and distribution of food-supplies; releases after 15th May from sterling balances blocked by United Kingdom Treasury Order of 22nd February; representation of Palestine before the International Emergency Food Council; the future of the Palestine Currency Board; maintenance of import and exchange controls ; continuity of essential fiscal arrangements ; disposition of the assets and liabilities of Palestine ; payments for services to be provided to British forces after 15th May. " The steadily deteriorating situation in Palestine," the report concluded, " leads to the inescapable conclusion that, in the absence of forces adequate to restore and maintain law and order in Palestine following the termination of the mandate, there will be administrative chaos, starvation, widespread strife, violence, and bloodshed in Palestine, including Jerusalem." Discussion in the First Committee When the question was taken up by the First Committee, the United States representative, Ambassador Warren Austin, submitted a working paper (A/C. 1/277) containing a draft trusteeship agreement for Palestine which he proposed should be referred to the Fourth (Trusteeship) Committee for consideration. Mr. Austin explained that it had been impossible to reach agreement between the parties in Palestine or among members of the Security Council to permit peaceful implementation of the partition resolution. Faced with British deadlines and mounting conflict the Council had acted to bring about a truce. This would not, however, ensure the continuance of governmental authority in Palestine after 15th May, and it was thought, therefore, that a temporary trusteeship would provide a Government and essential public services in Palestine pending further negotiations. Under the trusteeship provisions of the
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