Acting Secretary-General U Thant implied here today that it was up to the Big Powers to bring about peace negotiations between Israel and the Arab states, if such an achievement were to be accomplished.
At a luncheon tendered in his honor by the United Nations Correspondents Association, Mr. Thant was asked to comment on criticisms that the recent sessions of the Security Council, which voted condemnation of Israel for its action against Syrian military provocations, “evaded the need for a peace treaty between Israel and the Arab states. “
“If we accept the premise that the UN evaded that issue,” he replied, “then it is correct to blame the Security Council–which, of course, means the Big Powers. “
In answer to another question, Mr. Thant said that the recent Council resolution, which had also called upon Syria and Israel to cooperate with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization to maintain peace in the area of the Syrian-Israeli frontier, “is being implemented. ” He said he had no further information in regard to the Syrian-Israeli situation and that, if such information were received, he would transmit it to the Security Council.
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