The Israeli delegation to the United Nations is making efforts to eliminate a paragraph in a draft resolution for the Security Council which terms the capture of five high ranking Syrian officers by an Israeli patrol in Lebanon last Wednesday an “abduction,” it was learned here today. Israel insists that the five who range in rank from Lt. Col. to Brig. Gen. are legitimate prisoners of war captured on a military mission.
Foreign Ministry officials said today that the draft resolution prepared by several Western European nations was not entirely negative from Israel’s viewpoint because it condemns all acts of violence, including those by terrorists against Israel (A United Nations spokesman in New York reported late this afternoon that the members were still “consulting” over a draft resolution. The Council did not resume its session this morning as scheduled. A UN spokesman said it might not reconvene before tonight or tomorrow morning to consider a draft resolution arising from Lebanon’s complaint.)
The draft resolution is said to contain a request for the release of the Syrian prisoners. Israel says such a request should be made through the regular channels of the International Red Cross. According to Israeli sources, their release without a prisoner of war exchange would only prejudice the position of Israeli prisoners held by Arab countries.
Israeli positions on the Golan Heights came under shell fire from Syrian territory twice this morning, a military spokesman reported today. He said the first attack occurred in the Houshaniyeh region at one a.m. local time and the second at six a.m. Israeli forces returned the fire after the first attack only. No casualties or damage was reported. The Lebanese border remained quiet through the night. Lebanese Army units were seen patrolling the region, presumably to prevent terrorist activities.
Deputy Premier Yigal Allon and Minister-Without-Portfolio Israel Galili warned last night that if Lebanon did not rid itself of terrorists, it could face further retaliatory action from Israel. They spoke at a memorial meeting at Kibbutz Ein Harod.
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