Without fanfare or public notice, the Jordan authorities have begun dealing again with Col. Byron V. Leary, Acting Chief of Staff of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, UN sources indicated here today.
The Jordanian announcement that they would not cooperate with Col. Leary created a crisis in Jordan-UN affairs and brought Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold on a flying visit to the Middle East several weeks ago. He left without any public indication of Amman’s views on Col. Leary.
UN sources said today that Col. Leary was again visiting Jordan. They termed his relations with the Jordan authorities as “normal and very good.” It was also disclosed that Dr. Francisco Urrutia, of Colombia, named Mr. Hammarskjold’s personal representative to settle the Israel-Jordan dispute over Mt. Scopus, would arrive in Jerusalem next week.
Meanwhile, United Nations truce chief Col. Leary inspected the Israel-Syrian border today following reports that Syria was building a chain of fortifications along the demarcation line. Last week, the Syrians broke off cooperation with the UN-chaired Mixed Armistice Commission over their demand that the MAC discuss the status of the demilitarized zone along the Israel-Syrian border. Israel again forestalled a discussion noting that the area, all on Israel soil, was outside the scope of MAC authority.
(United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold will fly tomorrow to Stockholm and from there to Cairo Sunday, it was announced here today at UN headquarters Yesterday, Mr. Hammarskjold told a news conference that he would discuss with Egyptian Government leaders all questions outstanding between Egypt and the UN.)
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