Israeli authorities awaited today official notice of plans to strengthen the United Nations cease fire observation machinery in the Middle East, proposed by Secretary General U Thant last week. They are withholding comment pending finalization of the plans between Mr. Thant and his chief U.N. observer, Lt. General Odd Bull.
According to Thant’s proposals, the plans include doubling the number of observers and observation posts on both sides of the Suez Canal and equipping the U.N. observers with small patrol craft and helicopters. Israel has informed General Bull that it has no objections to increasing the number of observers but has withheld comment on the boats and helicopters proposals until formal notice is received. Israel in general does not favor giving the U.N. staff further responsibilities.
Meanwhile, U.S. Marine Col. Floyd Johnson, deputy chief of the U.N. observers corps returned here from Cairo where he presumably had talks with Egyptian officials on the Thant proposals.
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