Israel Accepts Revised U. N. Resolution on Direct Peace Talks

Ambassador Abba S. Eban announced that Israel would “cooperate sincerely” with the revised resolution of the eight neutral powers calling for direct negotiations between the parties for a Palestine peace settlement, in the U. N. Ad Hoc Committee today. The resolution had been revised as a result of informal talks on Friday and Saturday and again this morning. It reads:

“The General Assembly, recalling that it is the primary duty of all members of the United Nations, when involved in an international dispute, to seek the settlement of such a dispute by peaceful means, in accordance with Article 33 of the Charter; recalling the existing resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council on Palestine:

“Recalling especially those resolutions which call upon the parties to achieve at an early date agreement on a final settlement of their outstanding differences; taking note of the twelfth progress report of the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine in which it is suggested that “general or partial agreement should be sought through direct negotiations, with United Nations assistance or mediation,”

“1. Expresses its appreciation of the efforts made to date by the Conciliation Commission for Palestine in the discharge of its mandate;

“2. Calls upon the parties to honor fully their undertaking to refrain from any acts of hostility against each other;

“3. Reaffirms the principle that the governments concerned have the primary responsibility for reaching a settlement of their outstanding differences, and with this in view;

“4. Urges the governments concerned to enter at an early date, without prejudice to their respective rights and claims, into direct negotiations for the establishment of such a settlement, bearing in mind the principal objectives of the United Nations on the Palestine question, including the religious interests of third parties;

“5. Requests the Conciliation Commission for Palestine to continue its efforts to fulfill the tasks entrusted to it under General Assembly resolutions and to be available for assistance in the negotiations if so desired;

“6. Requests the Conciliation Commission for Palestine to render progress reports periodically to the Secretary-General for transmission to them embers of the United Nations; and

“7. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide the necessary staff and facilities for carrying out the terms of the present resolution.”

Speaking on the new draft of the eight power resolution, Mr. Eban emphasized Israel’s readiness to recognize and respect the principal objectives of the United Nations in this question, and to seek means of carrying them out. He added. in this connection, that he hoped that international measures to solve the refugee problem could soon be worked out, “within the framework of general international policy.” He noted that the resolution reminded the governments of the Middle East of the religious interests in this problem, and said that Israel welcomed this reminder.

The Israeli delegate expressed confidence that the coming year would bring realization by the parties of the advantages of peaceful and normal relations between the parties, and that “reconciliation” would be achieved. The example of the armistice agreements was always before the Committee, he said. The Arab states had at first opposed the resolutions providing for the talks, but later had agreed, and the armistice agreements had resulted. Mr. Eban stressed that the new draft resolution took the “vital interests” of both sides fully into account. He had no doubt that the resolution would “transform” Arab-Israel relations.

The draft resolution did not pre-judge any issue of substance, Mr. Eban continued. It represented “a victory for the course of a pacific settlement itself.” It was “the Charter translated into contemporary Middle Eastern terms.” The representative of Israel was sure that, through it, the Middle East could become “a region at peace with itself, a bulwark of freedom in a distracted world.”

SYRIAN DELEGATE OPPOSES NEW RESOLUTION

Ahmed Shukairi of Syria, in a point-by-point analysis of the new version of the eight power appeal, said that it did not represent a “solution” to Middle East problems and urged the other delegations to vote against it. He said that the Arabs asked adoption of a resolution acceptable to both parties and at the same time consistent with U. N. decisions. Passage of the present resolution would mean the “razing” of all U. N. resolutions on Palestine with the rights which they involve.

In conclusion, he said he wished to warn Israel not to be “intransigeant.” This might be the last chance for peace in the Middle East. The tempest in that area might be gathering momentum. He wished to warn Israel that it was in danger, and expressed the hope that his warning would be headed.