The Israeli Government, it is learned authoritatively, has decided not to reject the Negev ultimatum addressed to it by United Nations mediator Dr. Ralph Bunche.
The Israelis have notified Dr. Bunche that, in accordance with his request, Gen. Yigal Yadin, director of military operations of the Israeli Army, has been appointed chief operational officer to negotiate on details of a withdrawal of Israeli troops to their Oct. 14 positions. Nowhere in the Israeli reply is there a specific declaration of intention to carry out the withdrawal. However, the response equally refrains from suggesting that the withdrawal will not take place. The Egyptian reply also restricts itself to an announcement of the appointment of an officer to negotiate details of the order.
(In Tel Aviv it was learned that the Israeli Government has decided, to urge the Security Council to give the question of implementation of the Palestine armistice resolution priority over the order to withdraw troops from the Negev. After a lengthy night session, the Israeli Cabinet adopted a proposal to point out to the Council that the question of the future of the Negev is linked to the peace talks, and cannot be isolated or considered separately.)
Meanwhile, a U.N. spokesman announced that Dr. Bunche had clarified the Negev order by stating that the deadline was midnight November 19. The appointment by the deadline of military officers for consultation with the mediator’s staff will be considered compliance with the order.
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