Dr. Bunche Asserts That Dr. Jarring’s Return to the UN is Routine Not Emergency

Dr. Ralphe J. Bunche, United Nations’ Undersecretary General, said today that Ambassador Gunnar Jarring’s return this afternoon to UN headquarters had nothing in the nature of an “emergency,” but was rather a “routine” return for discussions with Secretary General U Thant, Big Four representatives and “other interested parties.” Dr. Bunche stressed that Dr. Jarring had not indicated that his return here was indicative of any imminent resumption of his Mideast peace mission. Mr. Thant had written to Dr. Jarring in Moscow where he is serving as Swedish Ambassador to ask him to consider the possibility of returning to the U.N. Dr. Bunche cited as evidence that Mr. Thant did not consider this an emergency return the fact that his letter was mailed through regular post rather than by cable or diplomatic pouch.

Dr. Bunche stated that “U Thant expressed a suggestion, not a command,” that it might be useful for Dr. Jarring, Mr. Thant’s special representative to the Middle East, to return and meet eventually with him. He also said that Dr. Jarring’s reply was sent by open cable from Moscow, saying he would return today, and that his reply came late Friday afternoon. Dr. Bunche was present at the UN press conference, he said, to “clarify” the confusion and misconceptions in the news media surrounding Dr. Jarring’s return and to answer complaints by newsmen that news reports indicating his return had been denied by UN spokesman then confirmed last weekend by Mr. Thant’s announcement.

The Under Secretary said most of the difficulties in this area resulted from the newsmen who were second-guessing Mr. Thant. “Even before the letter was sent to Dr. Jarring reports were out that he was being called back,” Dr. Bunche said. “This was not true. The Secretary General was being scooped on his own thinking with these stories. The only decision Mr. Thant made was to suggest to Dr. Jarring that he return here and that Dr. Jarring weigh the suggestion and decide whether or not to return.” Reporters pressed Dr. Bunche to explain why on Feb. 19. Mr. Thant, after meeting with Dr. Jarring in Geneva, had issued a statement there saying there was no immediate indication that Dr. Jarring would return. Dr. Bunche replied that “in the course of talks with representatives of the Big Four powers on Mr. Thant’s return from Burma, and talks with other representatives, the Secretary General received a generally favorable reaction to Dr. Jarring’s return. Minds can change on the basis of talks.”

On Feb. 19. Mr. Thant announced that Dr. Jarring would not resume his peace mission until there is a sufficient basis. “For the moment there is no sufficient basis for Ambassador Jarring to reactivate his mission,” Mr. Thant declared. The Undersecretary was asked whether there is any indication that Dr. Jarring would reactivate his peace mission in the Mideast. He replied: “I don’t want to anticipate Dr. Jarring’s decision. This will be based on his own appraisal and judgment, based on talks here. He will then decide if new steps would be useful. He will, I can assure you, do anything he can to take steps to make progress.” Asked whether he has seen anything positive in recent Big Four talks, the latest of which occurred last Thursday, Dr. Bunche said “I can’t answer that.”