The International Red Cross Committee announced here tonight that it is prepared, should the interested parties request it to do so. to investigate charges that Syria. Egypt and Israel had violated the Geneva Conventions. The Red Cross said that it has informed the three governments concerned of its availability to help conduct such an investigation.
The Red Cross suggested the creation of a number of committees, each to consist of three members: One each from the countries concerned and a third, neutral, which could be appointed by either the Red Cross or any other body chosen to do so by the concerned countries. These committees, the Red Cross communique stated, would ascertain whether the Geneva Convention has been violated and define the interpretation of the conventions. The findings, the Red Cross said, would be communicated to the interested parties.
Israel has charged Syria with murdering nearly 30 Israeli POWs and with having tortured many others. Syria has still not agreed to release the names of the Israeli POWs it holds. Israel has charged that Israeli POWs have also died in Egypt having been either executed or having died as a result of “intensive questioning.” Egypt claimed yesterday that Israel has subjected Egyptian POWs to “savage” treatment and that many of its captured soldiers have died as a result of “inhuman” treatment.
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