More Bitter Debate Marks Security Council Meeting; No Resolution Seen Yet

The Security Council adjourned today its current session over an August 4 Israeli air attack on Jordanian terrorist bases after listening to three hours of acrimonious debate in which the Soviet Union Joined with delegates of Jordan and Syria in denouncing Israeli “aggression” and Israel repeatedly challenged the hostile speakers. The session was adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow with no substantive action taken.

Reports circulated again that efforts were being made by Arab bloc supporters to prepare a resolution severely criticizing Israel for the air raid on new guerrilla bases near Salt about 15 miles from Amman. However, the debate today, which was largely a reprise of charges and counter-charges made since the session began on Aug. 5, indicated that little progress was being made toward an acceptable resolution.

Muhammad el-Farra, the Jordanian delegate, again demanded that the Security Council take “effective measures” to “halt Israeli aggression.” Yakov Malik, the Soviet delegate, argued again that Israel should be compelled to accept the Council’s Nov. 22, 1967 resolution which he again interpreted as requiring Israel’s immediate withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories. Yosef Tekoah, the Israeli representative, repeatedly challenged the Arab and Soviet speakers in exercise of his right of reply. On one occasion, when he called Malik’s statements a “calumny of Israel,” the Soviet delegate stopped the envoy’s statement on a point of order and the President cautioned him to adhere to the agenda. When he resumed his statement, Mr. Tekoah said the world was “still waiting” for the Soviet Union to come to a UN forum and speak for peace, rather than in support of war. The Israeli envoy again assailed the Arab statements which he said amounted to an argument that Israel had no right to legitimate defense against Arab terrorist attacks but that the Arab countries could continue such actions, both by guerrillas and by regular Arab troops. He said that both types of attack on Israel were continuing up to the moment he was speaking. He said Israel would never accept such a “onesided” judgment.