Dr. Gunnar V. Jarring, the Middle East peace envoy, returned today to his post as Sweden’s Ambassador to the Soviet Union. His departure does not mean a suspension in his mission, a United Nations spokesman said. While in Moscow. Dr. Jarring “will continue to keep closely in touch with developments and intends to resume his active efforts at an appropriate time,” the spokesman said. Dr. Jarring, whose mandate stems from the Security Council’s Nov. 22, 1967 resolution, arrived at the UN on Sept. 15 in connection with the opening of the General Assembly.
He was here, the UN spokesman said, “for the purpose of further consultations with the Secretary-General, the parties concerned and others.” He was reported to be resuming his diplomatic post “for the time being.” Dr. Jarring was said to have established “effective and expeditious channels of communications with the parties” concerned. While here he conferred with Foreign Minister Abba Eban of Israel twice, with Arab envoys and with the Big Powers.
The UN said that although Dr. Jarring was until recently absent from the Mideast diplomatic scene — the returned to Moscow last spring — his mission “is not nor has it ever been in suspension.” In the future, as in the past, Dr. Jarring will be “available to the parties any time.” the spokesman emphasized. It was recalled that the envoy twice this year went to Switzerland to meet Mr. Eban.
The decision of Dr. Jarring to resume his regular post is connected with the fact that foreign ministers of the countries concerned have departed for home, or are about to do so, it was said. The UN spokesman declined to evaluate the success or failure of Dr. Jarring’s efforts here to obtain progress toward peace.
Mr. Thant today issued what a UN spokesman termed an “exceptional statement” denying formally a radio news report that Dr. Jarring was abandoning his mission. “There is no truth in this(report). Ambassador Jarring wishes to be associated with this denial” of the report over the Columbia Broadcasting System, the spokesman said.
The “exceptional statement” was made, be said, “because it is felt that this incorrect report could be very damaging to Ambassador Jarring’s mission.”
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