Arabs at San Francisco Avoid Attacking Israel After Rebuff

Obviously smarting under a reprimand delivered to another Arab spokesman here yesterday by Dr. Eelco N. van Kleffens president of the United Nations commemorative session the chairman of the Yemenite delegation seemed deliberately today to avoid any reference to Israel-Arab conflicts.

In a ten-minute speech one of the shortest delivered here so far, Yemen’s Prince Seiful Islam Alhassan referred in florid terms to basic United Nations principles and aims. Only once did he refer to a specific issue when he mentioned his country’s disagreement with Great Britain over administration of Aden. But even this mention was mild.

Observers here noted that thus far Israel has come out best as against the Arab viewpoint. While Abba S Eban chairman of the Israel delegation, did refer to the conflicts between his country and the Arab states in his address yesterday. Mr. Eban had couched his remarks in diplomatic terms that carried impact without arousing hostility.

Yesterday Khalid el-Azm. Foreign Minister of Syria tried bluntly to inject anti-Israel propaganda when he said in his address that “Zionism” was “an offshoot of imperialism.” He also said “in one instance that of Palestine, the United Nations had to go off the course of the Charter under the pressure of some powers to an abnormal and unprecedented course.”

Dr. Van Kieffens actually gavelled el-Azm when he began to call for the liberation of the peoples of North Africa. He warned the Syrian statesman that he could not raise specific political disputes at the celebration meeting. After appearing confused el-Azm continued but apparently omitted some of his speech.

Although Henry Cabot Lodge, this month’s Security Council chairman, had alerted the council for a possible meeting on Palest the San Francisco, he has run into opposition from a majority of the delegates and it is unlikely that such a meeting will be held.