Six “neutral powers” yesterday introduced in the United Nations General Assembly’s Special Political Committee a resolution calling on both Israel and the Arab States to enter into direct negotiations immediately for settlement of their differences.
The resolution, introduced by-Finn Moe of Norway, was sponsored by Canada, Denmark, Ecuador, the Netherlands, Norway and Uruguay. It has the support of the Israel delegation, whose chief, Abba Eban, earlier this week urged the United Nations to make every effort to bring the two sides together. Western Powers support of the resolution is expected.
The six-power resolution asks all parties to “desist from any further acts of hostility” and urges the governments concerned to enter into direct negotiations for settlement of their outstanding differences. It proposes that the services of the U.N. Palestine Conciliation Commission should be available for this purpose, if desired.
Ahmed Shukeiri of Syria, the only Arab representative to speak before the committee adjourned its session until Friday, described Mr. Moe’s speech appealing for peace negotiations as a “noble appeal.” but added that Israel would have to prove her peaceful intentions. He stressed the Arabs’ “desire for peace” and their “conciliatory” attitude contrasting it with charges that mediation and conciliation attempts had failed because of the Israelis.
He stated that the-Arabs would not “resist” direct talks, provided they were based on the principles and obligations of the U.N. Charter. He said that the Arabs accepted the Norwegian peace appeal and were prepared to abide by Assembly resolutions, but doubted that Israel would do so outside the halls of the General Assembly.
Before the Norwegian representative spoke, Pierre Ordonneau, French chairman of the Conciliation Commission, made a statement in which he praised Israel for its agreement to release blocked Arab funds. He said the formula accepted by Israel would settle the majority of these accounts. He admitted that the Commission had been unable to find a “new approach” to the peace problem and therefore concentrated on technical problems such as compensation for the Arab refugees.
Israel has signed two agreements with the United Nations under which additional technical assistance will be provided by the world organization. Under the terms of the two pacts and past agreements, Israel will receive the help of 26 experts to advise the government in technical fields during the next two years.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
