“big Three” Discuss Syrian-israeli Border Problem with U. N. Head

The representatives of the United States, Britain and France yesterday met with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Dag Hammarskjold, to discuss the situation on the Syrian-Israeli demarcation line, it was learned here today. The talks were described as a continuation of discussions held among the Western Big Three and the Secretary General last week. No details of yesterday’s meeting were revealed.

The question whether Western-oriented Lebanese Foreign Minister Charles Malik will be officially nominated as the “candidate of the Arabs” for the presidency of the 12th regular session of the UN General Assembly was discussed today at an Arab caucus here. Earlier this month, Lebanon had announced Mr. Malik’s candidacy for the Assembly’s top office.

No final decision was reached at the meeting, Arab sources said. It was emphasized, however, that whatever objections Egypt and Syria might have to the nomination of the Lebanese Foreign Minister, who has not concealed his opposition to their anti-Western policies, Cairo and Damascus seem to have little choice but to support Mr. Malik as the Arab nominee.

The only other serious challenger at the present moment for the presidency is New Zealand’s Sir Leslie Munro who, in view of his government’s position in the Suez crisis last fall, will find it difficult to muster support among the numerically powerful Afro-Asian group. Israel would like to see Sir Leslie president of the General Assembly.

An American spokesman here categorically denied this afternoon reports from Arab sources that the United States would take a neutral position between Sir Leslie Munro and Dr. Charles Malik for the presidency of the General Assembly. “We some time ago promised our support to Sir Leslie and our position remains so unequivocally,” the spokesman declared.