U.N. Palestine Conciliation Commission Discusses Possibility of Its Dissolution

Both Israeli and Arab groups want the United Nationals Palestine Conciliation Commission to continue the peace conference here, while the Commission itself was discussing this morning the possibility or adjourning July 15,unless it could report more definite progress before then.

A Commission spokesman said today: should adjourn or give up, only if there is nothing left to do. It is up to the Arabs and Israelis to save the conference if they really want peace”

The Israeli delegation seems less convinced now than two months ago of the possibility of success through separate direct negotiations–as in the armistice at Rhodes–outside the framework of the Commission. Such contacts and direct exchange of views as have taken place between the Israelis and the -Arabs persuaded the Israelis to abandon hope for a separate peace negotiated without the help of the Commission.

The Israelis, therefore, would like to see the Commission continue. The Arabs are worried by the uncertainties of the Syrian situation and fear of Israel benefiting from any open clashes or differences. They would also prefer that the Commission remain in existence.

The suggestion has been advanced, as a first step to create greater mutual confidence, that the armistice agreements between Israel and Transjordan, the Lebanon and Egypt should be extended for two or three years, although this would require a Just settlement with Syria and Iraq. Only if these latest moves toward getting something done dies and all efforts once more are stalemated, will the Commission consider its mission a failure and entertain an adjournment.