Security Council Debate Rescheduled; U.S. Jordan Agree on Draft

The Security Council session requested by Jordan for the purpose of dealing with the status of Jerusalem has been rescheduled for tomorrow morning. Originally scheduled for last Tuesday, the long-awaited debate on Jerusalem was postponed on the insistence of Syria, a non-permanent member of the Council. The delay was asked until after the current Arab League meeting in Cairo which, it was hoped, would end before Friday.

Jordan plans to place before the Council a resolution calling on Israel to desist from further measures that change the character of Jerusalem or the city’s status, knowledgeable (Western) sources reported today. But, it was learned, the Jordanian resolution will not demand that Israel revoke measures already taken, and will simply declare such measures invalid. The sources said the language of the draft was agreed upon by Jordan and the United States. However, Arab states more militant than Jordan may not agree to it.

The Israeli view is that a settlement of the Jerusalem question can be effected only by persistent, quiet diplomacy and that any new resolution, even if couched in moderate terms, cannot serve the interests of peace. Israel has, furthermore, made it clear that she will not admit any commission sent by the Security Council to Investigate the situation in Jerusalem. According to Western sources, the Jordanian draft resolution calls on UN Secretary General U Thant to use such instrumentalities as he may choose, including a representative or special mission, to examine the Jerusalem situation and report back to the Security Council.

According to reliable sources, Jordan has not yet found sponsors for its draft resolution. Italy. Belgium and Argentine were approached and asked to be co-sponsors but they refused. The debate is scheduled to end before next week. So far, Egypt and Lebanon have indicated that they will participate in the debate.