U.N. Body Finds Egypt-israel Situation “generally Satisfactory”

Arab-Israel tensions came to the forefront here again today, for the first time since the conclusion of the last Security Council debate two weeks ago on a Syrian complaint against Israel.

The Advisory Committee on the United Nations Emergency Force met with Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold for over an hour this morning for “a review of developments with regard to UNEF responsibilities and of the general situation along the armistice demarcation line.” Informed Secretariat circles said that the Advisory Committee found the situation on the Egypt-Israel border “generally satisfactory.” The full seven-member committee attended the session, including representatives of Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ceylon, India, Norway and Pakistan.

Shortly after the meeting with the Advisory Committee, Mr. Hammarskjold held a half hour’s conference with Abba Eban, chairman of the Israeli delegation here, and Mordecai R, Kidron, deputy permanent representative for Israel at the United Nations. While none of the participants in that meeting would talk about the subject matter discussed, it was learned that the Israel delegation visit today concerned broad review of the general situation as between Israel and the Arab states.

That report was supported by the fact that Mr. Hammarskjold had with him, when he met the two Israelis, his two top advisers on matters affecting the Middle East–Dr. Ralph J. Bunche, Undersecretary in overall charge of UNEF affairs, and Andrew W. Cordier, Assistant to the Secretary General. Rounding out the clear indications of renewed interest in the Arab-Israel conflicts was the fact that, just before meeting with Mr. Eban and Mr. Kidron, the Secretary General held a brief conference with the chairman of the American delegation here, Henry Cabot Lodge.