The Israel Government today responded to President Eisenhower’s appeal calling for Arab-Israel restraint. The appeal was made by the President last week at a press conference here.
The Israel response came in the form of a letter addressed to Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, which said that “Israel’s desire was for peace.” Ambassador Abba Eban was instructed by the Israel Government to convey the official communication, which reads:
“The Government of Israel has studied with sympathy the statement of President Eisenhower at his press conference in Washington on March 31 in which he appealed to both sides of the Arab-Israel dispute to exercise calm and restraint.
“The Government of Israel, for its part, fully responds to the spirit of President Eisenhower’s appeal, which is in full accord with its established policy. It has always been the desire of the Government of Israel to have peaceful frontiers with its neighbors.
“The reciprocation of this desire by Israel’s neighbors and their abstention from acts of provocation, violence and illegitimate interference would lead to the immediate elimination of tension and to the creation of a peaceful atmosphere.”
Meanwhile, a Cairo broadcast relayed here today reported that the Arab League Political Committee meeting in Cairo voted for “decisive military measures” to end the border trouble, but did not specify what these measures were.
WESTERN POWERS AGREE ON WIDE SECURITY COUNCIL DEBATE
It was learned from diplomatic sources here today that the Western Powers have apparently agreed that any discussion of the Arab-Israel tension at the United Nations Security Council must be made on the general security situation and not be restricted to any specific incident.
Delays in the “Big Three” consultation on the Israel-Arab crisis with respect to Security Council consideration arose from a difference of opinion as to whether the Security Council or another United Nations organ would be the appropriate organ to air the dispute, it was indicated.
The United States Government pointed out that the Soviet vetoes appeared designed to bar any decision of an equitable or constructive character. The British share this concern, but see no possibility of finding an alternative procedure in time to deal with the present tense situation.
The United States has considered the use of the General Assembly’s 14-member peace observation unit but now appears to have agreed that this course is not available for the immediate future and that the Security Council must again be tried.
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