State Department sources said today that the United States is carefully observing developments in the Syrian-Israeli military confrontation, and awaiting a clearer definition of the newly-enunciated Syrian policy of striking into Israeli territory.
This week’s incidents were seen by U.S. officials as an “action and counter-action.” It was noted that the sequence of events was carefully controlled and terminated before an uncontrollable stage of escalation was reached. Officials noted that neither side struck at enemy air bases.
The United States does not minimize the potential danger of an explosion. Experienced American diplomats consider the Syrians as the least predictable and least responsible of the Arab nations opposing Israel. The official American policy remains one of deploring the use of force by either Syria or Israel. American diplomats have urged both sides to heed the United Nations and to cooperate with peace-keeping units in the area.
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.
