The crisis which has hung over the Arab-Jewish peace talks held here under the auspices of the United Nations Conciliation Commission has teen dispelled as a result of the proposals made yesterday by Dr. Walter Eytan, head of the Israeli delegation, to members of the Commission. It is understood that Dr. Eytan proposed that the parley be oriented toward direct talks between the interested parties instead of functioning through the intermediary of the Commission.
When Dr. Eytan first returned from his five-day trip to Tel Aviv, where he consulted with Premier David Ben Gurion and Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett, it was reported that he had brought back no new proposals. As a result of this false impression of Dr. Eytan’s trip most observers here thought that the conference might break up. This pessimism has now been discounted.
The departure today of Mark Ethridge, for 45 days the American member of the Commission, took place on a more hopeful note than has been heard for many days. Mr. Ethridge was considered one of the “spark plugs” of the Commission and many persons, including the Israeli delegation, were not happy to see him leave, but new optimism has taken the edge off his departure. He is being replaced by Raymond Hare, deputy director of the State Department’s Division of Near Eastern and African Affairs.
The Arab delegations here have filed a vigorous protest against the Israeli occupation this week of a demilitarized zone alongside of Government House In Jerusalem. Insisting on withdrawal from the newly-occupied positions, the Arabs have warned the Commission against the possible consequences of the Israeli move on the talks here.
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