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Mr McNeil (United Kingdom) opposed any attempt to force the parties to enter into direct peace negotiations with one another, because this would open the way for the imposition of a settlement by the stronger party upon the weaker. In giving the general endorsement of his delegation to the Bernadotte proposals, Mr McNeil claimed that the proposed exchanges of territory would eliminate grave difficulties of communication by creating virtually self-contained units. The Jews would, in fact, be receiving land more valuable economically than their original share. The Negev offered by no means the opportunities seen by Mr Shertok ; the Jewish plans for irrigating that area were, under present conditions, impracticable. The logical step for the Assembly to take at this juncture was to endorse the Mediator's proposals and to take the necessary steps to give effect to them. The United Kingdom,, therefore, was placing a resolution on these lines before the Committee.. The United States position was stated by Dr Jessup, who expressed approval of the Mediator's seven basic premises and indicated general agreement also with his conclusions. Later he introduced several amendments to the United Kingdom resolution which were designed to lay much greater stress on the seeking of agreement by direct negotiations between the parties ; the task of delimiting frontiers would be entrusted to the Conciliation Commission on the understanding that, while the claims of Israel to the frontiers set forth in the 29 November resolution were legitimate and could not be modified without its consent,, if on the other hand Israel desired other territory, it would be necessary to offer appropriate exchanges acceptable to the Arabs. The Australian representative went further in emphasizing the full validity of the resolution of 29 November and suggested that the proposed Commission of Conciliation should — (1) Assist and encourage the parties to enter into direct negotiations in order to replace the existing truce by a permanent settlement, which should conform with the principles of the 29 November resolution but at the same time take into account possible changes, including those suggested by the Mediator; (2) Operate on a long-term basis as an agency for the promotion of good relations between the parties ; (3) Appoint or act as a Boundaries Commission to determine the final boundaries of Israel on the basis of mutual agreement; (4) If no agreement were reached, report in its discretion with recommendations to the next session of the Assembly ; (5) Co-operate with the Trusteeship Council in order to create the special regime for Jerusalem envisaged by the 29 November resolution ; (6) Assist the parties in adjusting economic problems ; and (7) Co-operate in the long-term settlement or repatriation of Arab. refugees.