Britain Withdraws Request for Immediate U.N. Decision on Sanctions Against Israel

U.S. delegate John Ross and acting U.N. mediator Dr. Ralph Bunch today asked the seven-nation sanctions sub-committee not to take any hasty action on a British proposal that the sub-committee proceed immediately to consider means for the use of sanctions in connection with the situation in the Negev.

The representatives of Belgium, China and France all joined today at a meeting of the sub-committee in demanding immediate strong measures towards the implementation of sanctions. However, following the appeals by Ross and Bunche, the British delegate withdrew his proposal.

In his appeal, the U.S. delegate urged the sanctions sub-committee to allow the initiation of the same process of negotiations in the Negev as was carried out this week successfully between Israeli and Arab military forces in the Jerusalem area. In supporting the American plea, Bunche urged the sub-committee to agree to a reasonable delay in order to allow him to see what would be the outcome of the acceptance of the U.N. armistice order by Egypt, which he announced today upon his return from conferences in Israel and the Arab countries. The sub-committee agreed to adjourn and its chairman announced that he would convene it on Friday afternoon if it will still be necessary.

U.N. MEDIATOR REPORTS EGYPT’S ACCEPTANCE OF ARMISTICE ORDER

In addressing the seven-nation sub-committee, Bunche pointed out that there is a marked change in the attitude of the parties involved and that they are eager to solve the problems on which the sub-committee is seeking action. In the past ten days, he said, important progress has been made. The cease-fire in Jerusalem is complete and the city is hardly to be recognized, he reported. In the central sector of Palestine there is also an effective cease-fire at the moment and an agreement has been reached there for the next two weeks between the Israeli and Iraqi forces, he stated.

“Regarding the situation in the Negev,” the U.N. acting mediator continued, “the Egyptian Government informed me of its readiness to comply with the November 16 resolution on armistice provided that the problem of Faluja, where several thousand Egyptians are encircled, is solved. I reported the whole matter to Israeli Premier Ben Gurion on Monday and I feel that there are good prospects for negotiations. At the moment Faluja and Beersheba are in fact the only obstacles towards the next step and even so I wish to state that there is some basis for optimism. I have just now received from the Egyptian Government formal and official notification that they are accepting the November 16 armistice resolution.”

Israeli representative Aubrey S. Eban, addressing the sanctions sub-committee, said that the Egyptians’ acceptance of the armistice resolution constitutes a new factor and creates a change in the situation in the light of which there is a new possibility for also solving the Faluja problem.

BRITAIN CHARGES JEWS WITH INCURSIONS INTO TRANSJORDAN; EBAN DENIES IT

British delegate Harold Beeley charged that Israeli troops were crossing the 100-mile stretch of land from the Dead Sea in Transjordan in the direction of Aqaba. Beeley said a situation may develop which would “oblige Britain to take action” envisaged: in its treaty with Transjordan. The British spokesman was interrupted by Bunche, who declared: “Neither King Abdullah nor any of the military authorities in Transjordan mentioned anything to me about Jewish incursions into Transjordan when I was there on Sunday.” The acting mediator reiterated that the Faluja, problem is the key to the entire situation and that he felt that the release by Israel of the Egyptian troops encircled in Faluja might result in real prospects, at least as regards a military settlement, with the Egyptians.

Taking issue with Beeley, Eban declared that two supervision teams seen to operate in the Negev–one by the United Nations and the other, a private one, maintained by Beeley. Eban emphasized that what is happening in the Negev is an internal Israeli affair and said that at present a scientific mission is on route to Aqaba and requires police protection.

In private conversations, the U.N. acting mediator, who arrived in Paris today from Cairo, revealed that the Egyptian press and public opinion are completely uninformed on the proceedings at the United Nations with regard to Palestine because of the strict censorship prevailing in the country. The Egyptian Government is worried about how to got out as quickly as possible from the Palestine haves. At the same time, Bunche seemed to be extremely pleased with his talks with Ben Gurion in Tel Aviv.