Israel and Transjordan Discuss Opening of Jerusalem Roads; Reach Other Agreements

A special committee on Jerusalem made up of an Israel and a Transjordan representative conferred for two hours today on Article VIII of the Israel-Transjordan armistice agreement which provides for the maintenance of open roads between Jerusalem and the surrounding area. The clause deals with the opening of the road to Jerusalem from the Damascus Gate to Bethlehem, as well as the Arab-controlled road leading to Mt. Scopus where the Hebrew University is situated.

The talks were conducted in a friendly atmosphere, with both sides agreeing to submit each other’s proposals to their respective governments. It is expected that replies from the Tel Aviv and Amman authorities will be made known at the committee’s next meeting, scheduled for Dec. 11.

Lt. Col. Moshe Dayan, commander of the Israel forces in the Jerusalem area, and Col. Moita of the Transjordan Arab Region, met yesterday in the Beersheba area where they reached an agreement permitting the Arab Legion to use a small stretch of road passing through Israel territory for a period of three months. The agreement, however, permits the Israelis to cancel the pact whenever they deem it necessary.

Under another agreement, the complaint of the Azazma Bedouin tribe that it had unlawfully been expelled from Israel, was removed from the jurisdiction of the United Nations mixed armistice commission. Solution of that problem will be sought in direct negotiations between Israel and Transjordan.

In a third agreement, the two commanders decided to establish a six-man commission, composed of three Israelis and three Transjordan delegates, to examine and settle disputes between Israel and Bedouin tribes of Transjordan. The first meeting of the commission will be held Dec. 9.