Israel Ambassador Avraham Harman today met with a ranking State Department official on what he described as the “very grave” situation on the Israel-Syrian frontier, and asked American support of the Israeli complaint before the United Nations Security Council. His conference was with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Howard R. Cottam.
Mr. Harman said he asked United States support of a planned Israeli move to bring about condemnation of Syrian aggression by the Security Council, and issuance of an order by the Security Council for Syria to cease aggressive actions. Mr. Harman expressed hope that the United States, a permanent member of the Security Council, would address itself to the complaint.
Mr. Harman said his call on the State Department and the expressions of his Government indicated the “very grave” view which Israel takes of the situation created by Syria. He reviewed recent aggressive infiltrations and actions by the Syrian armed forces, and familiarized the Department with the chain of events that led to the present crisis.
Prior to Mr. Harman’s visit, State Department sources said that the Department was observing the Syrian-Israel frontier difficulties, but as yet had no information to confirm “alarmist” reports. The Department is not at this time convinced that any major threat to peace exists, according to these sources. It was made clear, however, that subsequent reports could alter this evaluation.
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