Hammarskjold Abandons Efforts to Hold Israel-jordan Parley

United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold revealed today that he has abandoned his efforts to bring Jordan and Israel face-to-face at a conference under his chairmanship in Jerusalem to review the Jordan-Israel armistice. (See earlier story on Page 4.)

In communications to the Israeli delegation to the United Nations and to the Jordan Government at Amman, Mr. Hammarskjold drew attention to the flat refusal of the Jordan Government to attend the conference and declared that “I consider that for the present, my pursuance of this matter any further is not warranted.”

The meeting was mandatory upon both parties under Israel’s invocation of Article XII of the armistice last November and Jordan’s refusal to attend is a major breach of the armistice agreement. In all his previous public statements on the question, the Secretary General had made it clear that once Israel had invoked Article XII, it was mandatory upon him to convene the meeting and he indicated that he would do so even in the face of a Jordanian refusal to attend.

In the light of the Jordanian refusal to attend the meeting, Israel now has the recourse of a complaint to the Security Council against the breach of the armistice agreement.

Meanwhile, little likelihood was seen here today that the Western Powers would accede to Israel’s urgent request to take the initiative in convening a session of the Security Council to deal with Israel-Jordan relations. It is pointed out here that “no proof” exists that the gang which murdered the busload of Israeli men, women and children came from Jordan. It was also stressed that the Mixed Armistice Commission had failed to reach a decision or place responsibility for the outrage. Under these circumstances, the Big Three would not be inclined to haul Jordan before the bar of international public opinion.)

(In Washington, the State Department officially commended Comdr. Elmo Hutchison, U.S. Navy, chairman of the Israel-Jordan Mixed Armistice Commission, for his handling of the Negev bus massacre issue and expressed belief that “he has outlined a constructive course of action. ” Comdr, Hutchinson refused to cast a tie-breaking vote on an Israel motion of censure against Jordan in connection with the Scorpion Pass massacre.)

(In London, a Foreign Office spokesman confirmed receipt of a request from Israel that Britain bring the Negev massacre to the Security Council for discussion. It is anticipated that before Britain acts it will consult with France and the United States.

(Circles close to the Foreign Office have stated that Britain agrees with the view expressed by Comdr. Hutchison that insufficient evidence is available to justify placing responsibility for the Negev massacre. These circles added that Britain would view with great disfavor any attempt to place Comdr. Hutchison in personal disrepute because of his decision.)

(In Paris, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said the situation in the Middle East had become critical and France will do everything in its power to insure peace in that region. He denounced the Negev murders, on which he placed responsibility for the deteriorating situation, as an “odious massacre.”)