Thant: No ‘fundamental Conflict’ Between His, U.S. Views on Peacekeeping Force

Secretary General Thant caused some eyebrows to be raised here today when he said through a spokesman that there was no “fundamental conflict” between his views on Middle East peacekeeping and these of the United States and the Soviet Union. At a press conference on Jan. 18, Thant said that “active participation” by the Big Two in a Mideast force would “create more problems than it would solve,” and that he had “personal doubts about the wisdom” of a Big Four force for at least a decade. In Washington yesterday, Secretary of State William P. Rogers reaffirmed U.S. support for a Mideast force and a “responsible” American role in it. The United Nations spokesman declined repeatedly to elaborate on Thant’s new comment, leading one newsman to observe, to general laughter: “This creates more problems than it solves.” The spokesman did admit that Thant was “fully aware” of Rogers’ remarks yesterday but would give no specific comment on them. The spokesman caused another flurry when he said Thant’s statement today was based on consultations “in detail” with the U.S. and the USSR since Jan. 18 and that the American participant was Ambassador Charles W. Yost. That diplomat was replaced on March 1 by George Bush, meaning that the consultations with the U.S. on Mideast peacekeeping that resulted in today’s statement by Thant took place at least 17 days ago.

Asked by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency correspondent if Thant felt it was unnecessary for him to confer with the new U.S. representative before issuing such a statement, the UN spokesman replied: “I am confident that he feels this, yes.” An American official queried by the JTA brushed aside the matter, noting that “the President makes policy” and UN ambassadors differ only in “style.” On the seemingly opposing views toward peacekeeping by Thant and the U.S., the diplomat declined specific comment but indicated that there was not as much divergence on views as might be gleaned from public pronouncements. There were further charges and counter-charges today on the issue of Israel’s construction plans in East Jerusalem. Ambassador Jaime de Pinies of Spain expressed to Thant his government’s “concern and chagrin” over the plans, as they were “designed to change the true nature and alter the status of that city.” Such measures, he continued, “are aimed at laying the foundations which could serve to support and justify an annexation which, if it should occur, would confront the international community with a fait accompli.” In a separate letter to Thant, Israeli Ambassador Yosef Tekoah again denied that the proposed construction would in any way impinge on Moslem liberties. Thant will confer here tomorrow morning with Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban.