Israeli circles said here today they would watch with “caution and apprehension” the activities of an Indian military officer, Maj. Gen Indar Jit Rikhye, whome United Nations Secretary-General U Thant appointed yesterday as the new commander of the United Nations peace-keeping force in Gaza area.
While there was no official comment by the Israel Government regarding the Rikhye appointment, it was noted here that, in the past, Israel has been critical regarding the naming of Indians to key United Nations posts, since the Indian Government regularly supports Arab policies against Israel. On the other hand, it was observed here that, during the recent flare up of warfare between India and Pakistan in Kashmir, the Arabs had supported Pakistan in spite of the fact that India has courted the favor of the Arab bloc.
(At the United Nations, it was pointed out today that Gen. Rykhie has been military adviser to the Secretary-General since 1960, holding that post not only under Mr. Thant but also under the late Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold. In naming Gen. Rykhie, yesterday, Mr. Thant said the Indian officer would take up command of the U. N. Emergency Force on February 1, succeeding the present commander, Maj. Gen. Syseno Sarmento, a Brazilian. Gen. Rykhie’s appointment is for one year. The UNEF was created in 1956 and stands on guard on the Egyptian side of the border with Israel, along the Gaza Strip frontier and at Sharm el Sheikh, overlooking the Gulf of Akaba.)
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