The regular fortnightly Israel convoy crossed Jordanian lines today and arrived at the isolated Israel enclave on Mt. Scopus without incident, despite threats of renewed interference earlier this week by Jordanian newspapers.
It was the first convoy to make the trip since the recent visits of United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold and his executive assistant Andrew Cordier. The executive assistant was the third UN official assigned by Hammarskjold to seek an easing of Jordan-Israel conflicts over various phases of the Jordan-Israel Mixed Armistice agreement, particularly those involving Israel access to Mt. Scopus.
The Jordan press had warned that convoy passage would not be permitted unless Israel agreed to open the Issawia road without restrictions. The road, one of three leading to the Arab village, was closed by Israel to all but UN observers after the May 26 Jordan attack which cost the lives of Col. George A. Flint, head of the Mixed Armistice Commission, and four Israel police. Since then, Israel has reopened the road which, like the Issawia village, is in Israel territory behind Jordan lines, from sunrise to sunset for use by Issawia villagers.
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