Two amendments to the eight-power resolution appealing to the Arab states and Israel to enter into direct negotiations for a settlement of outstanding differences were today submitted to the United Nations Special Political Committee, which is considering the Palestine question. Both proposals were aimed at making the eight-power appeal more palatable to the Arab states.
The first amendment, proposed by Chile, would add to the appeal the phrase “with due consideration to the fundamental principles of the United Nations resolutions,” The Arab states have insisted that any negotiations with Israel must be based on past resolutions of the U.N. on Palestine.
The second amendment, introduced by El Salvador and co-sponsored by Colombia, Costa Rica, Haiti and Uruguay, specifically calls for settlement of disputes by peaceful means and within the framework of “previous resolutions of the General Assembly on Palestine.” This document also urges the Palestine Conciliation Commission to continue to help the parties, “particularly by arranging for the initiation of direct negotiations between them.”
Earlier today, Lord Llewellin of Britain declared that his delegation supported the eight-power resolution and that it would consider any amendments which would help bring about direct negotiations, but would oppose any that would so tie the hands of the negotiators in advance that the negotiations might never begin. He asked the Arabs not to set any “pre-conditions” for negotiations which might kill the hopes of negotiations. He opposed expansion of the Palestine Conciliation Commission, as proposed by four Moslem states and supported by the Arab countries.
The Yugoslav delegate, Djura Nincic, said that he would welcome any modification in the eight-power proposal which might render it acceptable to all. He expressed the hope that the next time the committee discussed this question it might be in the light of a settlement reached by both parties. Mr. Nincic also asserted that establishment of peace in the Middle East might emanicipate that region from “attempts emanating from various quarters” to “fish in the troubled waters of Arab-Israel dissension.”
The only Arab delegate to speak today, a Yeminite representative, appealed to the committee to consider the following three “facts” about Palestine: I. Jerusalem was not internationalized; 2. The Arab refugees had not been allowed to return to their homes; 3. Israel was occupying Arab territory.
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