Israel Tells U.N. Syria Stirs Border Tensions, Endangers Region

Israel warned in the United Nations yesterday that Syria was engaged in “doctrines and activities that are calculated to keep the border area in a state of tension and upheaval” which might “endanger the whole region,” The warning was contained in a letter from Ambassador Michael Comay, Israel’s permanent representative at the U.N., to the president of the Security Council. Mr. Comay did not ask for a Security Council meeting.

Summarizing all of Syria’s claims, and Israel’s counter-claims, in relation to the Lake Tiberias incident of August 15, Mr. Comay told the Council: “The stream of warlike threats against Israel by leaders and spokesmen of the Syrian Government and its armed forces has continued unabated since the incident of August 15. ” After listing many such statements, Mr. Comay noted that Damascus has emphasized several themes, including plans for a “people’s war of liberation” against Israel by use of armed force; a policy of armed “punitive or “reprisal” attacks on selected targets inside Israel; a proclaimed refusal to have recourse in the future to the Security Council or any other U.N. agency; and an undertaking to give “unqualified support to sabotage raids into Israel.”

“Formal denials in letters or statements” by Syria to the Security Council “carry no weight,” Mr. Comay stated. “What matters is that Syria should implement its obligations under the armistice agreement to ensure that there should be no illegal crossing of the border. ” Not only Israel but the United Nations and all governments concerned with maintaining the peace and security of the Middle East are confronted with Syrian doctrines and activities that are calculated to keep the border area in a state of tension and upheaval, and that may endanger the whole region.”