The United Nations General Assembly will meet tomorrow afternoon to discuss the Israeli evacuation of the Gaza and Akaba areas, which are scheduled to be completed at that time. It is expected that UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold will report to the Assembly on the withdrawal.
UN headquarters here today received a report from Maj. Gen. E. L. M. Burns, commander of the United Nations Emergency Force, conveying the report in a proclamation which he issued today in Gaza. The proclamation told the Gaza Arabs that “UNEF has assumed responsibility for civil affairs” and is in the area for the purpose of “maintaining quiet during and after the withdrawal of the Israeli defense forces.” The exact phraseology of the Burns proclamation was considered here to be important, indicating a plan to keep UNEF in Gaza “after” Israel’s withdrawal.
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Arab refugees will continue to provide its relief services as in the past, the proclamation declares. The proclamation directs the population of the area that it is “not to carry arms or explosives of any kind.” that it is to continue to observe the curfew hours imposed by the Israeli forces and in general is to “remain law-abiding and orderly.”
The forces sent into the Strip, according to the Burns’ report, consist of Danish, Norwegian, Indian, Colombian and Swedish contingents. Headquarters of UNEF have been set up in the town of Gaza. The Burns’ proclamation, issued in Arabic, concludes: “Peace and the mercy of God upon you.”
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